James Albert WILSON MM

WILSON, James Albert

Service Number: 1777
Enlisted: 14 February 1916, Geelong, Vic
Last Rank: Sergeant
Last Unit: 58th Infantry Battalion
Born: Portarlington, Victoria, Australia, 1891
Home Town: Portarlington, Greater Geelong, Victoria
Schooling: Not yet discovered
Occupation: Fisherman
Died: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 6 May 1966, cause of death not yet discovered
Cemetery: Altona Memorial Park, Victoria
Memorials: Portarlington St John's Church Honour Roll, Portarlington War Memorial
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World War 1 Service

14 Feb 1916: Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 1777, 58th Infantry Battalion, Geelong, Vic
4 Apr 1916: Involvement Private, 1777, 58th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '20' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Euripides embarkation_ship_number: A14 public_note: ''
4 Apr 1916: Embarked Private, 1777, 58th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Euripides, Melbourne
26 Mar 1917: Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 1777, 58th Infantry Battalion, German Withdrawal to Hindenburg Line and Outpost Villages, GSW to right arm sustained in the trenches at Morchies/Lagnicourt, France
26 Sep 1917: Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 1777, 58th Infantry Battalion, Polygon Wood
4 Oct 1917: Promoted AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 58th Infantry Battalion, Belgium
8 Aug 1918: Involvement AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 1777, 58th Infantry Battalion, The Battle of Amiens
23 Aug 1918: Promoted AIF WW1, Corporal, 58th Infantry Battalion, France
24 Sep 1918: Promoted AIF WW1, Sergeant, 58th Infantry Battalion, France
1 Nov 1918: Honoured Military Medal, Mont St Quentin / Peronne, For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during attack by 58th Battalion on PERONNE on 2nd September 1918.
28 Sep 1919: Discharged AIF WW1, Sergeant, 1777, 58th Infantry Battalion, RTA 19 June 1919

Help us honour James Albert Wilson's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.

Biography contributed by Robert Wight

1. Military Medal citation:

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during attack by 58th Battalion on PERONNE on 2nd September 1918. Early in the attack owing to casualties in officers this N.C.O. was placed in command of a platoon. He led his platoon with great skill and determination, capturing three posts, including one Machine Gun. Owing to direction of attack this N.C.O. had to form a defensive flank. As the attack was progressing he showed splendid judgement in the placing of posts and the effective his posts brought to bear on the enemy resulted greatly in keeping down hostile fire on the company's left flank. His splendid leadership and coolness under fire greatly inspired his men, and was a magnificent example to all.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 115
Date: 10 October 1919.

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2. Medaille Militaire (France) citation:

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during operations 'East of HARBONNIERES on 9th August 1918. During the attack he led his party with great skill, and under heavy machine gun fire captured enemy's post, 1 machine gun and entire crew. He then entered 3 dug-outs with total disregard of danger and captured 15 of the enemy. Later in the attack he, with his party, rushed another post and captured 5 of the enemy. His splendid leadership and great courage were magnificent and the example he set inspired his men with confidence.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 23
Date: 12 February 1919

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