PHELAN, James Joseph
| Service Number: | 983 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 44th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Not yet discovered |
| Home Town: | Not yet discovered |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: | Claremont Hospital for the Insane Honour Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 6 Jun 1916: | Involvement Private, 983, 44th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '18' embarkation_place: Fremantle embarkation_ship: HMAT Suevic embarkation_ship_number: A29 public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 6 Jun 1916: | Embarked Private, 983, 44th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Suevic, Fremantle |
From Irish Freedom fighter to Australian Army Private
The following is a summary of our oral family history. This is based on recollections from remaining Irish nephews who are in their 80's.
James Phelan was born on a small farm in Ballymacarbery, County Waterford, Ireland. The land is still farmed by the Phelan Family. In his late teens he got involved in the armed struggle against British Rule in Ireland and was part of the Irish Republican Army in the North Waterford area. Having been identified and after evading arrest by hiding in the Comeragh Mountains and in 'safe houses', he made the decision to emigrate to Australia. He worked as a mental hospital orderly in Perth. When WWI started he enlisted in the Australian Army and served in France. At the end of his duty he was given permission to take leave and visit his family in Ireland. He re-met his childhood sweetheart and they quickly married and she returned with him to Australia. The Australian government granted him some land and he and his wife cleared the land to set up a sheep farm. They subsequently increased his land holding and raised a family. When WWII started the price of wool increased dramatically and Jim made a lot of money. After the war he and his wife went on a trip around the world visiting their families in Ireland and Jim's brother in New York. He visited Ireland again when he was in his 80's after his wife had died. Soon after his return to Australia he died in a traffic accident. His life links the legacy of The Famine, the fight for Irish freedom, the building and of Australia and two world wars.
Submitted 21 November 2016 by Michael Phelan