Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

James, known as Jim, was born in Kadina on the 5th March 1904 to Charles Edward and Daisy Emma Anesbury. He was their first son and second child, with siblings Maggie, Elizabeth Aileen, Colin and Gordon, however not all survived their early years.
Jim married Mabel Kathleen Tonkin (‘Kath’) on 2nd October 29 in Port Broughton at the St. Phillip's Anglican Church. Jim chose Kath’s brother as his best man with the young couple then honeymooning at Clarendon in the Adelaide Hills. The wedding was reported with much detail in the Chronicle. Eventually, the young couple and their family would settle in this area. In that era, health issues contributed to the mortality rate of young children and babies. Three of Jim and Kath’s children, Robert Deverde, Leslie and William (Bill) were all in this category. Reginald Leith, born in ’32, Marcia Ann ’34, Jeffrey Donald ‘36 and Graeme John ’39 all survived.
Jim had just turned 25 when his 54-year-old father, Charles died at Bundaleer, via Jamestown in July ’26. Jim continued to find work as a labourer while the young family initially lived in Stirling West in the late ‘30’s. Times, however, were challenging as the Great Depression made finding and retaining work difficult and unemployment rose to over 35%. Jim was also unfortunate at the time to be found and charged with having ineffective brakes, essential for travel in the hills, and received quite a hefty fine of £1. with 10/ costs.
With the outbreak of war, and unemployed in labouring jobs that had become increasingly scarce, 36-year-old Jim enlisted in July ’40, becoming SX9127. Probably because of his age, Jim began a Cooking and Catering Course at Keswick over November before also becoming proficient in Infantry skills. Following pre-embarkation leave, he was then formally allocated to newly formed 2/48th Battalion. By this time his family were back living in Adelaide.
Jim arrived in the Middle East in May ’41 and immediately entered the Amiriya training Camp, to refine the skills which would become essential for warfare. For two subsequent months, Jim held the rank of Acting Corporal in ’41 before then reverting to Private. Conditions in the desert caused Jim to spend almost a month recovering, including at a rest camp before he was able to rejoin his battalion. Soon after, the 2/48th was able to return to Australia via Melbourne for well-earned leave. On returning to South Australia, Jim was granted extended leave, followed later by compassionate leave. By Christmas that year, Kath and the family had moved to Kangarilla.
The early months of ’44 saw Jim promoted to Acting Corporal, before then assuming the full rank of Corporal Corrigendum. Unfortunately, several factors contributed to Jim’s poor emotional and physical health, the latter including the state of his feet – an essential requirement for foot soldiers. Inevitably, aged 41he was discharged in December ’44, joining his family living in the peaceful Hills area of Kangarilla. Post war, Jim gained work again as a labourer, including at Leigh Creek. Unfortunately, he did not submit a tax return for ’48 and came before the Adelaide Police Court where he was fined a precious £5, with 10/ costs, money that would have helped his family.
His mother, Daisy who died in September ’54 aged 72 was interred with Charles at the Jamestown Cemetery.
Jim lived to be 70 and died on the 1st January 1973. His 45-year-old son, Jeffrey pre-deceased Mabel and died in ’81. Aged 78, Mabel (Kath) died on the 4th November ’86 with her remains also placed at the Enfield Memorial Park.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.