Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

The summary below was completed by Cathy Sedgwick (OAM) – Facebook “WW1 Australian War Graves in England/UK/Scotland/Ireland”

James Edmund Rees was born at 46 Jackson Street, Woolwich Common, London, England on 14th April, 1892 to parents James Robert & Eliza Rees. 

According to information supplied by his mother for the Roll of Honour – James Rees came to Australia when he was 21.

He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) on 10th June, 1915 at Liverpool, Sydney, New South Wales as a 23 year old, single, Labourer from 83 Elen Street, Woolwich, London, England. His next of kin was listed as his mother – Mrs E. Rees, 83 Elen Street, Woolwich, London, England.

Private James Edmund Rees, Service number 1760, embarked from Sydney, NSW on HMAT Kanowna (A61) on 19th June, 1915 with the 20th Infantry Battalion, 2nd Reinforcements.

He was taken on strength of 20th Battalion at Gallipoli Peninsula on 31st August, 1915 from Reinforcements.

Mrs Moore wrote to Base Records on 14th October, 1915 wishing “to change the address of No 1760 Private J. E. Rees 2nd Rein 20th Battalion from 53 Bourke St Redfern to 66 Flinders St Darlinghurst.”

Base Records replied on 20th October, 1915 stating that they were “unable to accede to your request, as next-of-kin is shown as his mother residing in England.”

On 19th November, 1915 Private Rees was wounded at Gallipoli Peninsula. He was admitted to 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Station on 20th November, 1915 with a wound to right arm. Private Rees was transferred to Hospital Ship Delta on 20th November, 1915 with G.S.W. (gunshot wound/s) to right arm. He was admitted to No. 1 Auxiliary Hospital at Heliopolis on 26th November, 1915 then transferred to Abbassia temporarily (no date recorded).

Private Rees was taken on strength of Overseas Base at Ghezireh on 10th December, 1915.

He was transferred to Anzac Police (Anzac Provost Corps) & was taken on strength at Abbassia on 3rd April, 1916.

On 26th August, 1916 Private Rees was transferred back to 20th Battalion & was marched in to Details at Moascar on the same day.

Private  Rees embarked for overseas from Alexandria on 14th September, 1916 on Kingstonian.

Mrs J. Rees, c/o Mrs John Gleeson, Ben Lomond, NSW wrote to Base Records on 14th September, 1916 asking “if No 1760 Pte J. Rees 20th Battalion 2nd Reinforce 5th Brigade A.I.E. Force has been wounded or killed as I have wrote to Victoria Barrack Sydney but they don’t reply. I would like to know as this man is my husband if you would do this.”

Base Records replied to Mrs J. Rees, c/o Mrs John Gleeson, Ben Lomond, NSW on 27th September, 1916 stating that no official report had been received concerning No. 1760 Private J. E. Rees, 20th Battalion since November, 1915 advising that he was suffering from a bullet wound in the arm. The letter goes on to state  “This soldier enlisted as a single man, and if you desire your name noted on his records as “Stated to be wife”, it will be necessary for you to forward to this office your Certificate of Marriage or sworn copy of that document, in support of your claim.”

Mrs J. Rees, c/o Mrs J. Gleeson, Post Office, Ben Lomond, NSW wrote to Base Records on 25th September, 1916 “asking if you could tell me anything about No. 1760 Pte Jack Rees, 20th Battalion….. I have got no reply and I am thinking my letter may have gone astray so I am again writing. I would like you to let me know if he has been wounded or killed or is he still in action as the above named is my husband, this would you kindly do and oblige me.”

Private Rees was transferred to Rollestone (Det Coys  No. 3 Camp), from Parkhouse, Wiltshire on 2nd October, 1916.

He was written up for an Offence on 6th November, 1916 – A.W.L. (Absent without leave) from 24.00 on 23rd October, 1916 to 07.00 on 2nd November, 1916. He was awarded a total forfeiture of 38 days’ pay.

On 28th November, 1916 Private Rees proceeded overseas to France & was marched in to 2nd A.D.B.D. (Australian Divisional Base Depot) at Etaples, France on 30th November, 1916.

Private Rees was written up for an Offence at Etaples on 8th December, 1916 – Creating a disturbance after lights out on 7th December, 1916. He was awarded 14 days confined to camp.

He rejoined 20th Battalion on 26th December, 1916.

Private James Edmund Rees was wounded in action in France on 15th April, 1917. He was admitted to 4th Australian Field Ambulance on 15th April, 1917 with shrapnel wound(s) to right cheek then transferred & admitted to 5th Australian Field Ambulance. Private Rees was transferred to Divisional Rest Station on 15th April, 1917. He was transferred & admitted to 56th Casualty Clearing Station on 18th April, 1917 & discharged to duty on 24th April, 1917.  Private Rees rejoined 20th Battalion from Hospital on 7th May, 1917.

He was on leave to England from Belgium from 31st October, 1917 until 16th November, 1917.

On 31st May, 1918 Private Rees was detached to 5th A.I.Bde in France.

Private James Edmund Rees was reported to be with his Unit in France on 14th June, 1918.

He was on leave to UK from 18th October, 1918.

On 27th October, 1918 Private Rees was admitted to Military Hospital, Cannock Chase, Rugeley Camp, Staffordshire, England  with Pneumonia while on furlough in UK.

Private James Edmund Rees died on 29th October, 1918 at Military Hospital, Cannock Chase, Staffordshire, England from Pneumonia.

He was buried in Stafford Cemetery, Stafford, Staffordshire, England.

(The above is a summary of my research. The full research can be found by following the link below)

https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/stafford.html