HOWARD, James Patrick
| Service Number: | 1842 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 43rd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, 1 February 1899 |
| Home Town: | Belalie North, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Farm labourer |
| Died: | Daw Park, South Australia, 17 September 1979, aged 80 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Enfield Memorial Park, South Australia Inner Circle, Site Number 108 |
| Memorials: | Belalie North WW1 & WW2 Roll of Honour, Belalie North WW1 Memorial & Gates, Jamestown Methodist Church WW1 Roll of Honor, Mannanarie Roll of Honor WW1 |
World War 1 Service
| 12 Aug 1916: | Involvement Private, 1842, 43rd Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '18' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Ballarat embarkation_ship_number: A70 public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 12 Aug 1916: | Embarked Private, 1842, 43rd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Ballarat, Adelaide |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Trevor Pyatt
James Patrick Howard
(1 February 1899 – 17 September 1979)
Service No. 1842 – Private, 43rd Battalion, Australian Imperial Force
James Patrick Howard was born on 1 February 1899 in Adelaide, South Australia, the son of James Francis Howard (1871–1950) and Evangeline Shepherdson (1872–1955).
He spent his early years in South Australia and was living at Belalie North as a young man, where he worked as a farm labourer.
First World War Service
At just 18 years and 3 months of age, James enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 11 May 1916 at Jamestown, South Australia. He was described as 5 feet 7 inches tall, with a dark complexion, brown eyes, and dark hair, and of the Roman Catholic faith.
He was initially attached to the 2nd Depot Battalion before being assigned to the:
43rd Battalion, 2nd Reinforcement
James embarked from Adelaide aboard HMAT Ballarat (A70) on 12 August 1916, arriving in England (Plymouth) on 30 September 1916. After further training, he proceeded overseas to France on 25 November 1916, joining the 43rd Battalion in the field in December 1916.
Wounded in Action – 1917
On 4 October 1917, James was wounded in action in France, during the height of the brutal Western Front fighting. His next of kin was formally notified later that month, confirming the seriousness of his condition.
He was evacuated through medical units and did not return to duty until 18 December 1917.
Illness and Recovery – 1918
In 1918, James experienced a prolonged period of illness:
Admitted to hospital in France
Recorded as "hospital sick"
Spent approximately 165 days off duty
This represents a significant interruption to his service and suggests a serious illness or extended recovery.
Later Service
After recovering, he:
Rejoined the 43rd Battalion in October 1918
On 5 December 1918, shortly after the end of the war, he was transferred to the:
3rd Divisional Traffic Control Detachment
This unit was responsible for coordinating troop movements, transport, and logistics—roles often assigned to experienced soldiers no longer fit for front-line combat.
Return to Australia and Discharge
James returned to Australia aboard HMAT Barambah, embarking on 3 September 1919.
He was formally discharged on 11 December 1919, concluding over three years of wartime service.
Medals and Recognition
For his service, James was awarded:
1914–15 Star
British War Medal
Victory Medal
His contribution to the war effort is commemorated on several local memorials in South Australia:
Belalie North WWI & WWII Roll of Honour
Belalie North WWI Memorial & Gates
Jamestown Methodist Church WWI Roll of Honour
Mannanarie WWI Roll of Honour
These memorials reflect his strong ties to the Belalie North and Jamestown district, where he lived and enlisted.
Later Life
Following his return from the war, James resumed civilian life in South Australia.
On 11 April 1931, he married Ivy Irene Gursansky at her family residence near Blyth, in the Clare district.
The couple later settled in Pennington, a western suburb of Adelaide.
James Patrick Howard died on 17 September 1979 at the Repatriation Hospital, Daw Park, aged 80 years. His death at a repatriation hospital reflects his status as a returned serviceman of the First World War.
Sources
South Australia Birth Registration
James Patrick Howard, born 1 February 1899, Adelaide district (Book/Page 635/78)
National Archives of Australia (NAA) - B2455, HOWARD J P, Service No. 1842
Attestation papers
Casualty forms
Statement of service
Medical examination records
Australian War Memorial (AWM) - Embarkation Roll: 43rd Battalion, 2nd Reinforcement
Nominal Roll: James Patrick Howard
South Australia Marriage Registration - Howard–Gursansky, 11 April 1931 (Clare district, Book/Page 327/172)
South Australia Death Registration - James Patrick Howard, died 17 September 1979 (Book/Page 456A/7008)
Community Memorial Records - Belalie North Roll of Honour
Jamestown Methodist Church Roll of Honour
Mannanarie WWI Roll of Honour
Biography by Trevor Pyatt 17/04/2026