MCPHERSON, John
| Service Number: | 3355 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 3rd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Not yet discovered |
| Home Town: | Not yet discovered |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 2 Nov 1915: | Involvement Private, 3355, 3rd Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '7' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Euripides embarkation_ship_number: A14 public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Nov 1915: | Embarked Private, 3355, 3rd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Euripides, Sydney |
Help us honour John McPherson's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Aubrey Bairstow
James McPherson was born in Port Chalmers, New Zealand in 1884. He was a Seaman by trade and enlisted in Sydney, presumably when his Merchant ship was in port in August 1915.
He was posted to the 3rd Battalion but transferred to the newly formed 55th Battalion in February 1916 and arrived in France on 30 June 1916, the battalion entered the frontline trenches for the first time on 12 July and fought its first major battle at Fromelles a week later. The battle was a disaster, resulting in heavy casualties across the division. Although in reserve, the 55th was quickly committed to the attack and eventually played a critical role, forming the rearguard for the 14th Brigade's withdrawal.
James McPherson was posted missing on 20 July 1916 and was later found to be wounded and a Prisoner of War , held primarily at Dulmen and then Paderbourne in Germany (Camp No 30933) He was repatriated 29 November 1919 and returned to Australia in June 1919 for discharge.
After the war he returned to New Zealand and he died in Port Chalmers , Otago in 1958.