Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

James McLeod was born in Barrow-in-Furness, the son of Robert and mary Kilpatrick from Northern Ireland.  His fatehr died when james was only 2 years old.  His mother remarried and in 1893 James and his siblings were given the surname of their step-father Murdo McLeod.

James and his siblings and mother sailed on the "Orizaba" and  arrived in Sydney at the end of 1897, Murdo McLeod having come to Australia earlier to obtain employment and a place to live.

The family lived in Newcastle

James was loved and respected by his own siblings and also by his step-sisters and brother.

He was of fine physique and above-average abilities.  He was employed in the railway service at Eskbank for a number of years and for a time at Wallerawang.  He was well-known in sporting circles.

He enlisted as a Private, was promoted to a Corporal and later to the commissioned rank.  He died as Lieutenant J.K McLeod.

By the time James enlisted in the AIF in 1914 his mother was living at Merewether in Newcastle, NSW. On 19th September 1910 James joined the NSW Government Railways and Tramways as a relief 3rd class porter (temporary) in the Eskbank District (Lithgow) of the Traffic Branch. His position was made permanent on 6th October 1910. On 15th December 1911 he became night officer at Swan Ponds before becoming a relief night officer (temporary) in the Eskbank District on 1st January 1912. This position was made permanent on 20th February 1912 and he remained in this position until 17th April 1913 when he resigned.

However, on 18th February 1914 he re-joined the NSW Government Railways and Tramways as a porter in the Eskbank District of the Traffic Branch. On 9th September 1914 he was released from duty to join the Expeditionary Forces.

James enlisted in the AIF on 9th September 1914. At enlistment he had the rank of Private (Service Number 888). Subsequently he made steady progression through the ranks. He was appointed Corporal on 1st October 1914, Acting Sergeant on 3rd May 1915, Sergeant on 11th June 1915 and Temporary 2nd Lieutenant on 26th July 1915. His appointment as 2nd Lieutenant was confirmed posthumously on 4th April 1916.

When he enlisted, James was posted to the 13th Infantry Battalion and he remained with this unit for his entire military service. He nominated his mother, Mary McLeod, as his next of kin.

He embarked for Egypt with the 13th Infantry Battalion on 22nd December 1914 and arrived there in late February 1915. James left Egypt for Gallipoli with his unit on 12th April 1915. The 13th Infantry Battalion was part of the 4th Brigade which landed at Anzac Cove late on 25th April 1915. From May to August 1915 the battalion was heavily involved in establishing and defending the ANZAC front line. In August the 4th Brigade attacked Hill 971. On 10th August 1915 James was killed in action near Hill 971.

Private P Barrett (1808) gives an account. It states:

‘McLeod was killed on the 10th August in the firing line facing Salt Lake. Informant saw him killed. One of the 15th Battalion men lit a bomb, and held it too long – it exploded in his hand, and killed four men and McLeod who had just been made a Lieutenant.’

His grave is in 7th Field Ambulance Cemetery, Gallipoli Peninsula, Canakkale Province, Turkey. His place of association is Newcastle, NSW.

- based on the Australian War Memorial Honour Roll and notes for the Great Sydney Central Station Honour Board.