JAMES, William Henry
| Service Number: | 795 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 18 August 1914 |
| Last Rank: | Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | 7th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | West Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, April 1891 |
| Home Town: | Bendigo, Greater Bendigo, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Watchmaker |
| Memorials: | Bendigo Great War Roll of Honor |
World War 1 Service
| 18 Aug 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 795, 7th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 19 Oct 1914: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 795, 7th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '9' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Hororata embarkation_ship_number: A20 public_note: '' | |
| 25 Apr 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 795, 7th Infantry Battalion, ANZAC / Gallipoli | |
| 14 May 1915: | Promoted AIF WW1, Sergeant, 7th Infantry Battalion | |
| 4 Dec 1915: | Promoted AIF WW1, Company Sergeant Major, 7th Infantry Battalion | |
| 12 Mar 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, 7th Infantry Battalion | |
| 25 Jul 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, 795, 7th Infantry Battalion, Battle for Pozières | |
| 1 Aug 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 7th Infantry Battalion | |
| 19 Aug 1916: | Wounded AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 795, 7th Infantry Battalion, Mouquet Farm, GSW to head and face, fractured skull. | |
| 30 Sep 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 795, 7th Infantry Battalion, Appointment terminated. |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Larna Malone
William Henry James was born in West Melbourne, the son of Charles James & Mrs. M. E. James, of Leongatha, Vic. He was a Watchmaker, and had previously been apprenticed to F. W. Field, Bendigo. Aged 23 years & 4 months, he lived at 64 Baxter-street, Bendigo, and was a member of the Bendigo Rifle Club. He was amongst the early volunteers for the Expeditionary Force, enlisting on 18.8.14. The following day he left Bendigo for the Broadmeadows Camp. He was allotted Service no. 795 and appointed to ‘G’ Company, 7th Battalion.
Prior to Embarkation he was Presented with a Safety razor by F. W. Field; and was Entertained by members of the Bendigo Rifle Club and presented with a wristlet watch. A photograph was taken, to be framed and hung in the club room.
The 7th Battalion left Broadmeadows Camp on 18 October, 1914, and embarked for service overseas on board HMAT ‘Hororata’. Arriving in Egypt the battalion moved into camp at Mena, at the foot of the pyramids. (6/12/14)
In January, 1915, the Australian force was re-organized. In the 7th Battalion ‘G’ and ‘H’ Companies joined to form the new ‘D’ Company. This meant that all the men from Northern Victoria were together in one Company.
While in Egypt William Henry James was selected as a Sniper.
The 7th Battalion was part of the force which landed at Anzac Cove on 25th April, 1915.
In May, Lieut.-General Sir W.R. Birdwood, in command of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, was asked to provide part of the Australian force to assist in a British offensive at Cape Helles. The 2nd Australian Brigade, which included the 7th Battalion, was one of two brigades provided. The 7th Battalion left Anzac and disembarked at ‘V’ Beach, Cape Helles, on May 6th. The battalion moved forward on May 8th in what was later known as the “2nd Battle of Krithia” (8-11 May). This battle achieved minimal gain and casualties were extremely high.
William Henry James was promoted to Sergeant on 14/5/15. The battalion returned to Anzac on 17/5/15. He received special mention for gallant conduct, in bravely remaining at his post in an observing station whilst being heavily shelled, and was Recommended for Mention in Despatches.
On July 3rd the 7th Battalion moved into the trenches on the Left sub-section of Steele’s Post. The downward slope behind Steele’s Post was directly overlooked by the Turks, who were in position on the higher ground. Turkish riflemen made this area particularly unsafe. Most of each day was spent repairing the trenches and continually sniping at the Enemy’s loopholes. The trenches were repaired during the night. They were also fired upon by the Enemy Howitzer. The strain of the constant bombardment, and explosions which buried men, was beginning to show.
On 26/7/15 William Henry James became ill with Dysentery.
On September 13, the battalion embarked for Lemnos & marched to Sarpi Camp. The health of the men was of great concern and it was hoped to improve this by an extended period of rest. The men were fed well, but the improvement in the men’s health was to be very slow indeed. William Henry James rejoined the battalion at Lemnos on 17/9/15. He was appointed A/CSM on 19/10/15.
The battalion returned to Anzac on November 21st. William Henry James became CSM on 4/12/15.
In December preparations began for the evacuation of Anzac. The 7th Battalion was withdrawn on the night of December 19th. They embarked for Lemnos and then disembarked in Egypt on 6th January 1916.
William Henry James went on to serve on the Western Front. He was promoted 2nd Lieut on 12/3/16 and Lieut on 1/8/16. He was Wounded in August, 1916, sustaining GSW to his head and face which resulted in a Fractured Skull. On 21/12/16 he Married Marjorie Emily Austin in Brixton, London. He was Posted for duty with AIF Depots in UK. On 14/4/19 he was Brought to the notice of the Secretary of State for War for valuable services rendered. He RTA on 16/6/19.
“The First Lot. 7th Battalion. The first men of the Bendigo district to volunteer for service in the First World War.”: Larna Malone
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