DARCY, James Edward
| Service Number: | 52 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Corporal |
| Last Unit: | Railway Unit (AIF) |
| Born: | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 7 December 1882 |
| Home Town: | Campsie, Canterbury, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Loco Engine Driver |
| Died: | Accidental (Injuries), France, 6 January 1919, aged 36 years |
| Cemetery: |
Valenciennes (St. Roch) Communal Cemetery II B 13 |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Haymarket NSW Government Railway and Tramway Honour Board, Newtown Superior Public School Great War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 7 Feb 1917: | Involvement 52, Railway Unit (AIF), --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '6' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Wiltshire embarkation_ship_number: A18 public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 7 Feb 1917: | Embarked 52, Railway Unit (AIF), HMAT Wiltshire, Sydney | |
| 6 Jan 1919: | Involvement Corporal, 52, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 52 awm_unit: 6th Australian Broad Gauge Railway Operating Company awm_rank: Corporal awm_died_date: 1919-01-06 |
Great Sydney Central Station Honour Board
James Edward DARCY, (Service Number 52) was born on 7 December 1882 in the city of Sydney. He commenced working for the NSW Railways as an engine cleaner at Eveleigh Locomotive Depot on 1 December 1899, becoming a fireman in 1906 and a driver in 1912. In 1917 he joined the Expeditionary Forces. He was married, to Eva Caroline Darcy, and enlisted at Sydney on 5 January 1917.
At this time the British Government had asked Australia to provide men with specific railway skills to operate the vital supply railways behind the lines. Several Railway Operating Companies were formed, and from a NSW perspective, the 6th Broad Gauge ROC was formed almost entirely of NSWGR men. Because they were not generally required to fight in the front lines, age and fitness requirements were relaxed.
He survived the war, but on 4 January 1919 suffered a catastrophic accident which resulted in his death. He was run over by a train near Valenciennes, severing his right arm and one of his legs. He had been a passenger on the train, travelling in the wagons, and due to relieve the driver. He may have tried to move from wagon to wagon as the train was in motion.
Submitted 9 June 2023 by John Oakes
Biography contributed by Carol Stewart
Enlisted and served as Janes Darcy
Biography contributed by John Oakes
James Edward DARCY (Service Number 52) was born on 7th December 1882 in the city of Sydney. He commenced working for the NSW Railways as an engine cleaner at Eveleigh Locomotive Depot on 1st December 1899. He became a fireman in 1906 and a driver in 1912. In 1917 he joined the Expeditionary Forces. He was married, to Eva Caroline Darcy. He enlisted at Sydney on 5th January 1917.
At this time the British Government had asked Australia to provide men with specific railway skills to operate the vital supply railways behind the lines. Several Railway Operating Companies were formed, and from a NSW perspective, the 6th Broad Gauge ROC was formed almost entirely of NSWGR men. Because they were not generally required to fight in the front lines, age and fitness requirements were relaxed.
James Darcy left Australia from Sydney aboard HMAT ‘Wiltshire’ on 7th February 1917. He disembarked at Devonport, UK, on 11th April. He went to France from Southampton on 14th May. He actuaaly drove trains, but the vast majority of men from the NSWGR who were in the AIF were doing more specifically soldiering tasks. In February 1918 he had leave in Paris and in August he had leave in England.
He survived the war. However, on 4th January 1919 he suffered a catastrophic accident which resulted in his death. He was run over by a train near Valenciennes, severing his right arm and one of his legs. He had been a passenger on the train, travelling in the wagons. He was due to relieve the driver. He may have tried to move from wagon to wagon while the train was in motion.
He was buried in the St Roch Communal Cemetery, Valenciennes, Nord Pas de Calais, France.
- based on notes for the Great Sydney Central Station Honour Board
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