MAVER, James
| Service Number: | 3518 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 4 January 1917 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 52nd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Aberdeen, Scotland, February 1899 |
| Home Town: | Brisbane, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Skene Square, Aberdeen, Scotland |
| Occupation: | Plumber |
| Died: | Killed in action, Dernancourt, France, 5 April 1918 |
| Cemetery: |
Dernancourt Communal Cemetery Extension Plot VIII, Row H, Grave No. 13. IN MEMORY OF THE DEARLY LOVED SON OF MR. & MRS. MAVER |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 4 Jan 1917: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 3518, 52nd Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 24 Jan 1917: | Involvement Private, 3518, 52nd Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '19' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Ayrshire embarkation_ship_number: A33 public_note: '' | |
| 24 Jan 1917: | Embarked Private, 3518, 52nd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Ayrshire, Sydney |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
James Maver was born in Aberdeen, Scotland in 1899 and came out to Queensland with his family in 1911. He was the son of James and Christina Maver, who settled in the suburb of Wilston, Brisbane, Queensland. The father, James senior, was a stonemason by trade and died in Brisbane during 1916, at 44 years of age.
James enlisted in early 1917, at not quite 18 years of age, along with his even younger brother, William Maver, and they were given consecutive regimental numbers in the 52nd Battalion. Willliam was only 16 years of age at the time and was eventually his age was discovered and he was transferred away from the front line in early 1918.
James and William arrived in England during April 1917 and James joined the 52nd Battalion at the front in August 1917. He was there for a few months before he was wounded during the heavy fighting in and around Ypres, Belgium during October 1917. James was evacuated to England with a gunshot wound to his arm and rejoined the 52nd Battalion in January 1918.
James was killed when the 52nd and 47th Battalion were defending a railway embankment at Dernancourt against an overwhelming German attack of several divisions. The two units bore the brunt of the initial assault and suffered heavy casualties. James was seen to be killed instantly by machine gun fire and after the battle was buried by his mates in the nearby Dernancourt cemetery.
A third and eldest brother enlisted, 5293 Pte. John ‘Jock’ Annand Maver 31st Battalion AIF, who was also wounded in 1918 and returned to Australia in 1919. The youngest brother, William Maver, was sent to the Australian Corps School due to being underage and was sent home to Australia, only weeks after the death of his brother James.
James Maver was 19 years and two months of age when he died.
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