Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

James Augustine (‘Jim’) McFarlane was born in Glasgow in 1889. When he enlisted at Blackboy Hill on the 2.8.15, he was aged 26 years 2 months. He was a Rigger, Club Steward at the Royal Perth Yacht Club, an apprentice Seaman and Presbyterian. He was described as being 5 feet 5½ inches tall, with a chest measurement of 38-40 inches, fair complexion, grey eyes and fair hair. Allocated the rank of Driver and the Service Number 7916, he initially served with the 57th Battalion as a driver, then the 20th ASC and finally the 16th ASC. James embarked from Melbourne on the 24.11.15 on the RMS Orontes. On 2.4.16 he was admitted to hospital in Alexandria with blurred vision and discharged 2 days later with the diagnosis of ametropia. He was then sent to France. In June 1917, he went AWL, was awarded 14 days’ Field Punishment number 2 and forfeited 19 days’ pay. He spent time in hospital in December 1916, then again with septic sores on the 4.1.17. He returned to duty on 3.2.17. On the 4.3.18 he was again in hospital, with an injury to his back and was discharged to duty on the 10.3.18. James returned to Australia on the 1.6.19 per Somali. He was treated for conjunctivitis at sea. He disembarked on the 5.7.19 and was discharged on the 30.8.19. His wife, Helen Elizabeth McFarlane (‘Nellie’) was the sister of John William and Benjamin Fremantle Bolt. After the war, James was the proprietor of the Peppermint Grove Boatshed and Tearooms and linked to the State Implement Works in North Fremantle. He was also an active member of the Mosman Park Sub-Branch of the RSL. His wife was a member of the Mosman Park RSL’s Women’s Auxiliary and a member and pianist of the Heather Social Club.

James died on the 4.5.1940 in Peppermint Grove and he was buried in Fremantle Cemetery, Presbyterian section Mon EE 0652. His funeral was attended by a large number of family, friends, Returned Soldiers and representatives of the British Sailors’ Society, Royal Perth Yacht Club, Shiplovers Society of WA., Tramways, Swan River Ferries, Claremont infants’ Demonstration School, P & C Association Claremont, Australia Engineers Fremantle, Nankivell Motors and the Heather Club. Their presence was a testament to the range of his interests. His obituary described him as ‘popular with all classes and his bright and genial disposition earned the respect of all with whom he became associated’. The casket was draped in the Union Jack, and at the conclusion of the service Bugler Sergeant O'Brien sounded the last post.