Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

From How We Served

The final resting place for;- 3526 Private Vincent Joseph Cameron (aka Vincent James Cameron) of Melbourne, Victoria who had been engaged as a seaman and later as a bushman when he enlisted for War Service on the 6th of March 1916 and was allocated to reinforecements for the 30th Battalion 1st AIF.

Vincent was embarked for England and further training, departing Australia on the 5th of August 1916, and following the completeion of this he was sent over to France where he arrived on the 30th of September. Following some last minute training at Etaples before proceeeding to join his Unit, Vincent arrived in the trenches where he was officially taken on strength on the 29th of December. Vincent's service in the field was continuous until he was caught in a shell explosion on the 22nd of March 1917.

Evacuated to Havre for treatment Vincent was sent back to England for further further care and convalescence on the 1st of December 1917. Having sustained injuries to his sight Vincent was deemed to be suffering from defective vision caused by the shell explosion and was repatriated back to Australia as an invalid, departing England on the 10th of Janurary 1918. Following his return to Australia and further treatment Vincent was formally discharged from the 1st AIF on the 30th July 1918. Having been reentered into civilian life Vincent's health further deteriorated and he was admitted into the Miltary Mental Asylum on the 6th of Janurary 1922, sited as suffering from premature demetia.

Vincent's passing took place whilst he was still in residence of the Asylum on the 14th of June 1926, following which he was formallly laid to rest within Fawkner Cemetery, Victoria.