James William CRUTHERS MM

James William CRUTHERS MM Update Details

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CRUTHERS, James William

Service Numbers:	796, R796, W17209
Enlisted:	31 August 1914
Last Rank:	Staff Sergeant
Last Unit:	12th Infantry Battalion
Born:	South Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 18 April 1895
Home Town:	Cottesloe, Western Australia
Schooling:	Not yet discovered
Occupation:	Accountant
Died:	Natural causes, Kwinana, Western Australia, 13 September 1992, aged 97 years
Cemetery:	Fremantle Cemetery, Western Australia Ashes taken by funeral director
Memorials:

World War 1 Service

31 Aug 1914:	Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 796, 12th Infantry Battalion
2 Nov 1914:	Embarked Private, 796, 12th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Medic, Fremantle
2 Nov 1914:	Involvement Private, 796, 12th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '10' embarkation_place: Fremantle embarkation_ship: HMAT Medic embarkation_ship_number: A7 public_note: ''
25 Apr 1915:	Involvement AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 796, 12th Infantry Battalion, ANZAC / Gallipoli
2 May 1915:	Wounded AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 796, 12th Infantry Battalion, ANZAC / Gallipoli, GSW upper extremities
23 Apr 1918:	Wounded AIF WW1, Private, R796, 12th Infantry Battalion, German Spring Offensive 1918, GSW left leg
29 Aug 1918:	Honoured Military Medal, German Spring Offensive 1918, For gallant leadership at Meteren on 23 April 1918 when sent to reinforce the front line which was being counter attacked by enemy bombing parties. He lead his section over ground that was swept by machine gun and rifle fire and repelled the attack, consolidated his position and drove off subsequent attacks by excellent bombing. Although continually bombarded by minenwerfer, he kept his men well in hand and set a splendid example to the men of his section. He was severely wounded in the leg and arm.
18 Mar 1919:	Discharged AIF WW1, Private, R796, 12th Infantry Battalion

World War 2 Service

12 Dec 1940:	Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Staff Sergeant, W17209
3 Dec 1946:	Discharged Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Staff Sergeant, W17209

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Biography contributed by Faithe Jones

Military Medal

'For gallant leadership at METEREN on 23rd April, 1918. Lance Corporal CRUTHERS was sent forward to reinforce the front line which was being counter attacked by enemy bombing parties. He led his section over ground swept by machine gun and rifle fire and repelled the attack, consolidated his position and drove off subsequent attacks by excellent bombing. Although continually bombarded by minenwerfer, he kept his men well in hand and set a splendid example to the men of his section. He was severely wounded in leg and arm.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 1
Date: 2 January 1919

Kate and James’ baby, James, born in 1916 died while James was away at war. After his return five more were born. Four of which survived, one was the future Sir Jim Cruthers born in 1924 who in 1958, became the founding general manager of Western Australia’s first television station, TV Channel 7

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