Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

James was the son of James HARCUS & Ann Jemima SIMPSON and was born on the 13th of December 1871 in Westray and Papa Westray, Orkney Islands, Scotland.

His parents were married on the 30th of May 1867 in Westray, Orkney Islands, Scotland.

His father was the son of William HARCUS & Elizabeth POTTINGER and was born on the 3rd of February 1844 in Westray, Orkney Islands, Scotland.
His mother was the daughter of William SIMPSON & Charlotte SUTHERLAND and was born in 1849 in Firth, Orkney.

James was the fourth child born into this family of 9 children.

His father was a fisherman and the family lived in Swartmill, Orkney.

It is not known when James immigrated to South Australia but he had arrived before 1898.

James married Rose Evyline BRYAN on the 18th of May 1898 in Semaphore, SA.
Rose was the daughter of John Francis BRYAN & Sarah Ann BURKE and was born on the 12th of July 1876 in Glanville, SA.

They welcomed their first child; Annie May, on the 26th of March 1899 in Semaphore.
Hector James was then born on the 8th of October 1901, followed by Isabel Rose on the 10th of December 1905.

James was employed as a lighterman in Birkenhead and they made their home in Rann Street, Birkenhead and then moved to Martin Street, Birkenhead in 1911.
Sadly their daughter Annie died on the 2nd of October 1911 in the Adelaide Hospital from Meningitis and they buried her in the Cheltenham Cemetery.

At the age of 42, James enlisted into the 1st AIF on the 19th of September 1916 in Port Adelaide and allotted the service number 6090 and posted to the B Company, 2nd Depot Battalion in Exhibition Camp.

He was transferred to the 27th Battalion, 17th Reinforcements and embarked from Adelaide, on board HMAT Afric on the 6th of November 1916.
He disembarked in Plymouth on the 9th of January 1917 and marched into the 7th Training Battalion in Rollestone.

After 3 months of training James proceeded to France on the 5th of April 1917.
James served for 2 months in France before suffering from Varicose Veins and was evacuated back to England.
He was medically classified C1 (fit for Home Service only) and detached to the 12th Training Battalion in Codford.

Sadly, whilst he was here Rose died on the 6th of December 1917.
Her funeral left the residence of Mr. H. A. Baynes, Parker Street, Alberton and she was buried in the Catholic Portion of the Cheltenham.
Their children were placed into the care of Mrs Jane O’DONNELL of Martin Street, Birkenhead.

James finally embarked from England on the 19th of April 1919 on board HT Marathon, disembarked in Adelaide on the 5th of June and was discharged from the AIF on the 14th of July 1919.

On the 22nd of December 1921 James was admitted into the Adelaide Hospital suffering from Chronic Interstitial Nephritis, Uraemia (kidney disease).

James died in the Adelaide Hospital on the 26th of January 1922 and was buried the following day in the Cheltenham Cemetery; Section O, Drive C, Path 38, Site Number 168S.

HARCUS.-The Friends of the late Mr. JAMES SIMPSON HARCUS are respectfully informed that his remains will be removed from 166 Grenfell street, Adelaide, on FRIDAY, 27th January at 11am, for Internment in the Cheltenham Cemetery, arriving at 12.15 p.m. J. C. Baddy & SON, Undertakers, 166 Grenfell street, Adelaide.

Military

At the age of 42, James enlisted into the 1st AIF on the 19th of September 1916 in Port Adelaide and allotted the service number 6090 and posted to the B Company, 2nd Depot Battalion in Exhibition Camp.
He listed his wife, of Kintore Avenue, Alberton, as his next of kin.

On the 17th of October he was transferred to the 27th Battalion, 17th Reinforcements in Mitcham Camp.

James embarked from Adelaide, on board HMAT Afric on the 6th of November 1916 and after spending Christmas 1916 on board the troopship he disembarked in Plymouth on the 9th of January 1917 and marched into the 7th Training Battalion in Rollestone.

After 3 months of training James proceeded to France on the 5th of April 1917 and reported to the 2nd ADBD (Australian Division Base Depot) in Le Havre.
On the 9th of April he was taken on strength with the 27th Battalion, who were in training at Scots Redoubt Camp, 1 mile south east of La Boisselle.
Five days later they march 9 miles to Bapaume and after 5 days here they marched to Noreuil on the 19th and relieved the 20th Battalion in the front line.

They were involved in the second attempt to seize the Hindenburg Line, which began on the 3rd of May before they were relieved on the 6th and moved into tents near Bapaume.
Three days later they entrained to Bazentin and marched to Scots Redoubt Camp for further training.
After 8 days here they marched to Senlis on the 17th of May and during this march James suffered from Varicose Veins and was admitted into the 7th Australian Field Ambulance and then transferred to the 9th Casualty Clearing Station in Aveluy.

Six days later he was transferred by Ambulance Train to the 5th General Hospital in Rouen.
The following day he was discharged to the 2nd ADBD in Le Havre, but was admitted into the 40th Stationary Hospital in Harfleur, 3 days later.
On the 1st of June he was discharged back to the 2nd ADBD in Le Havre where he was medically classified PB (permanent base).

James proceeded back to England on the 18th of June and marched into No.1 Command Depot in Perham Downs.

Here he was medically classified C1 (fit for Home Service only) and on the 27th of June he was detached to the 12th Training Battalion in Codford.

Sadly, whilst he was here he received the news that his wife died on the 6th of December 1917.

James remained here for the next 14 months and then on the 30th of September 1918 he was admitted into the 1st Australian Dermatological Hospital in Bulford, suffering from Venereal Disease.
He spent 7 months here receiving treatment before he was discharged to No.2 Command Depot in Weymouth.

James embarked from England on the 19th of April 1919 on board HT Marathon and disembarked in Adelaide on the 5th of June.

James was discharged from the AIF on the 14th of July 1919 and awarded the British War & Victory Medals.