Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

James Lyell Tinlin was a lance in the 11th machine gun company in the World War one. He was born in Newcastle upon Tyne England. Before he joined the military and the 11th machine gun company, he was a carpenter until he was 28. His Next of kin was his mother, Mrs Jane Tinlin, in which lived in Woodside Farm, Newcastle. He embarked on 24th of March 1915 as a private, with his AWM embarkation roll number being 23/27/2. 

Before he enlisted into the army on the 24th of March 1915 he had to go though many different tests and such to see if he was built to be an army member. One of them being that he had to go though a dental test, measurement of his physical build such as height, weight, chest measurements, skin and eye colour. He also had to declare the vaccinations that he had and where on his body that they exactly were. This then was approved by a commander officer and medical officer (in which was conducting the measurements etc. Before commencing in any battles he had to undergo training in which he took part in, in this case he trained in Egypt before embarking out to Gallipoli which was the major campaign that he fought in throughout his service as a member of the army.

He embarked from Australia to Gallipoli on the 24th June 1915. This is where he fought valiantly from all the way throughout the nearly 8 months there. He fought to such an extent that he was also promoted to Lance Corporal because of his very valiant and brave actions during the campaign.

In Feburary 1916 James joined the 50th Battallion and went to France in August. He spent some time in hospital sick with pneumonia and diarrhoea in April 1916

He was awarded a Military Medal, British war medal,  and a 1914–1915-star medal for their valiant efforts and brave actions in the war (specifically The Western Front). For fighting for his battalions when it all seemed over, he courageously kept firing even when his life was at risk. He peaked with his machine gun and mowed down the opposing army while they tried to advance to the trench since they thought they had killed everyone allowing him to mow down the enemy as they started to move into the open. His service record states the following:

From 31st July to 3rd August 1917 East of Messines this man was No. 1 of a machine gun. On the night of the 31st July and 1st August the enemy counter-attacked three times and heavily shelled out front line. The fire bays on either side of the Gun position were blown in, but he kept his gun firing during the position of danger. His behaviour right through the period mentioned and under most trying conditions, both as regards weather and enemy action and his determination to keep his gun going were a splendid example of other members of the team

He was promoted to Corporal on the 24th August 1917.

On the 4th October 1917 he was wounded in action with a general gunshot wound to his right arm and was invalided to England on the 12th October. He was admitted to a Military Hospital and then transferred to the 3rd Auxillary Hospital Bethanal Green on the 19th December where he remained until he was returned to Australia on the 10th April 1918. Once he returned to Adelaide he was admitted to the Torrens Park Hospital from 10th June 1918 until the 15th November 1918. He was eventually discharged from service on the 29th November 1918.

He was a prime example of someone who showed the Anzac spirit throughout his service. He put others and his country before his own life and was brave and valiant throughout the entire war and each and every battle he fought in. He persevered through battle and went through training to make sure he was ready.

He returned to Australia on the 5th of April 1918, with a multitude of gunshot wounds, his right arm was disabled with nerve damage and he had trouble breathing. He served an honourable service, serving his country protecting the lives of any while they were injured and not able to continue to defend. It shows his noble intentions and impactful service throughout the entire war that he took place and fought in throughout his service.