Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

From Australian Remembrance Army

Private James Michael Ferriter (Service No. 4409), an Australian World War One veteran, is among almost 800 previously unmarked WWI veterans’ graves in Lutwyche Cemetery we have now marked with a plaque in recognition of their service for Australia.

We unveiled his plaque in Lutwyche Cemetery on 15 April 2023, along with a further 246 plaques on the previously unmarked graves of Australian World War One veterans:
See Australian Remembrance Army Facebook page

James Michael Ferriter enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at Rockhampton, Queensland, on 12 October 1915, at the age of 36, recording his civilian occupation as a master tailor. On 30 March 1916 he embarked from Queensland aboard HMAT Star of Victoria, proceeding overseas via Egypt. After further training, he was sent to the Western Front in France, where he joined his battalion in active service during a period of sustained and demanding operations.

During his time in France, Ferriter experienced repeated interruptions to his service due to illness. In November 1916 he was admitted to hospital sick, transferred through medical facilities, and later rejoined the battalion. He again required hospitalisation in August 1918, being admitted through a sequence of field ambulances and casualty clearing stations before transfer to a line of communications hospital. These episodes reflect the physical toll of prolonged front-line service rather than combat wounds. Despite these setbacks, he continued to serve until late 1918, when he was discharged from hospital to the Australian Infantry Base Depot.

In December 1918 Ferriter was taken on strength of the Australian Infantry Base Depot, later returning briefly to the 26th Battalion before being transferred to AIF Headquarters in February 1919. He subsequently returned to Australia and was formally discharged from the AIF on 6 December 1919.

Following his return to Australia, James Michael Ferriter is recorded as living in Rockhampton, where he worked as a tailor. By the mid-1920s, he was living in Albion, Brisbane, continuing in the same occupation. He died on 13 September 1944, aged 65, and was buried in Anzac Portion 7, Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane. He was a single man who had no known children. In February 1945, a short obituary was published in The Morning Bulletin, Rockhampton, Qld: “The death occurred in Brisbane of Mr James Ferriter, a veteran of the last war and well known in Mt Morgan and Rockhampton as a tailor and cutter. In his younger days he was a keen sportsman and raced horses at Mt Morgan.”

After decades without recognition at his place of burial, his grave now bears a plaque commemorating his service to Australia — ensuring his name endures among those remembered for their duty and sacrifice. His identity and dignity have now been restored.

We have remembered him.
Lest We Forget.