Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

20 October 1916 - To hospital with Bronchitis

7 June 1917 - Wounded in action, severe wound to the loin

17 September 1918 - Was recommended for the Military Cross but not awarded. Recommendation states that for two years he had served with the Division in France and during that time had worked as a Bearer-Captain whenever the Division had been in line. On all occasions he had shown coolness and gallantry under fire setting a splendid example to his men in March, April and May 1918 during operations while working as a Bearer - Captain in the forward area on the Somme and Ancre and later (June and July 1918) at Villers Brettoneaux.

On many occasions he had been conspicuous for his excellent work under heavy enemy fire and at all time haad shown zeal and energy while carrying out his duties

3 July 1919 - Returned to Australia

Medals: BritishWar Medal, Victory Medal

12 April 1926 - Married mina Kathleen Ballantyne in the Methodist Church, Woodville

RSL information

31 December 1919 - Joined State Branch

2 August 1922 - Transferred to Orroroo Sub Branch

31 March 1935 - Transferred to Hindmarsh Sub Branch

25 August 1953 - Trasferred to State Branch

20 April 1961 - Transferred to Burnside Sub Branch

16 December 1963 - Transferred to State Branch

Badges S6957 and S3886 lost

Residential addresses: 188 North Terrace, Adelaide; Orroroo; Albert Park; Woodville;  54 Barton Terrace, North Adelaide; 20 Brandreth Street, Tusmore; last known address was 19 Sturt Place, Beaumont

SWEENEY James Gladstone MB BS

1894-1977

James Gladstone Sweeney was born on the 9th January 1894 at Springbank, Clarence Park, Adelaide. He was the son of John and Isabella Sweeney of Albert Park, SA. Sweeney had three brothers and two sisters. He was educated at Adelaide High School where he won a Bursary to the University of Adelaide where he studied medicine and graduated in 1915.

Sweeney enlisted in the AIF on the 8th October 1915 as a captain, aged 22 years, single, with three weeks experience as a resident at the Adelaide Hospital. His father, then of Nottingham Terrace, Glandore, was recorded as his next of kin. Previously he was a senior cadet for 1 year and in the Citizen Forces as Corporal in 19 AAMC for 4 years.   He was 5ft 10ins, weighed 11st 4lbs, and could ride. He was allocated to 11 FdAmb with Michael Henry Downey as the CO.   He embarked on the 31st May 1916 and arrived at Devonport, England and after 4 months proceeded to France on the 24th November 1916. He returned to England to hospital with bronchitis and after two weeks re-joined the unit as OC.  He was transferred to 10 FdAmb in France on the 25th May 1917 but was wounded in action with a gunshot wound to the right loin on the 7th June 1917. He was taken to England for treatment and returned to duty with 11 FdAmb in France on the 6th October 1917. Sweeney was posted in the field to be the CO of the Unit 3 ADAC until the end of hostilities.  He was recommended for a Military Cross for “coolness and gallantry under fire and set a splendid example to his men”, however, it was not awarded. He was granted leave in England for 3 months and returned to Australia on the Zealand on 3rd July 1919 on duty as ships staff. He arrived in the 4th MD in September 1919 with his appointment terminated on the 14th October 1919.  Sweeney was issued with the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Following discharge from the Army he completed his residency at the Adelaide Hospital and then moved to Orroroo as a general practitioner in 1920 where Dr Ray Last (later Professor) was a partner. He married Mina Kathleen Ballantyne, the Matron of the Orroroo Hospital, on the 14th April 1926.  They had five children, three of whom became doctors and two nurses. The family moved to Adelaide in 1935 where he practiced at Croydon until he retired. During the WW2 he served as a reserve medical officer at Warradale. In 1969 his address was 9 Sturt Place, Beaumont, South Australia. He was the President of the 11th Field Ambulance Returned Soldiers Club for 25 years. James Gladstone Sweeney died on the 22nd April 1977. The 11th Field Ambulance Returned Soldiers Club disbanded after his death and at their final meeting they allocated £20.00 to the War Veterans Home at Myrtle Bank and all matters of historical interest were handed to the RSL, Adelaide.

Source

Blood, Sweat and Fears: Medical Practitioners and Medical Students of South Australia, who Served in World War 1. 

Verco, Summers, Swain, Jelly. Open Books Howden, Adelaide 2014. 

Uploaded by Annette Summers AO RFD