Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

James was born on the 30th August 1901 in Brisbane, Queensland to Andrew Albert and Elizabeth Maud Tregilgas. Andrew was Cornwall born and came to Australia with his family before moving to Adelaide where he and Elizabeth married in 1880. The two had a large family of ten children, including seven daughters and three sons, with James the youngest son; Ethel Hannah, Amanda Eva, Elsie Ada, Albert Richard James (died as a baby), Leila Maud, Edith Lillian, Arnold Edward Frank, Lucy Elizabeth, James Andrew and Vera Edna.
James, known at times as ‘Jim’ being just over five feet tall, began a career as a jockey. As a 21-year-old he successfully mastering the skill of jumping over brush fences at Morphettville.
Jim had initially been employed as a horse attendant earning 25/- per week, with keep for A.E. Press, a successful horse breeder. By August ’23 Jim then worked for King William Street grocer at a better wage of £4 2/ a week. However, by January ’24 Jim returned to the Norwood stables of A. Eyles, at £2 a week, but the following month went to Littlehampton, where he received just £1 a week and keep for similar services. He soon left that but tried to add to his income by riding at two race meetings, for £10. He then returned to D. Dobbin’s horse training stables at Glenelg where he was employed at £1 a week and keep.
Sadly, by 1924 Jim was facing the Adelaide Insolvency Court, with liabilities of a hefty £171 8/, and his assets were nil. While driving his car, Jim had collided with a bike rider who subsequently sued Jim for £127 8/- for loss of income over three weeks, injuries to himself and his bike. Unable to pay these debts, Jim was declared insolvent.
Challenges continued. James had just turned 26 when his father died in December ‘27. His mother Elizabeth died about six years later in October ’33.
Unfortunately, in April ’30 Jim, who at that stage was working as a grocer, was involved as the driver in another car accident when travelling with three other men at Dry Creek in the early hours of a Sunday morning. His out-of-control car overturned, severely damaging the hood and shattering the windscreen with all men being hospitalised at Adelaide, but fortunately Jim was least injured and after treatment in Martin Ward was discharged.
Jim’s life choices were erratic; with he and a friend both being fined in the Barmera Court in August ’38 for being drunk – forfeiting 5/- with 5/- costs.
Two years later, Jim, working as a storeman, enlisted to serve in WWII and was allocated the number SX6885. He nominated his older sister, Lucy as his next of kin. He was soon placed in the newly formed 2/48th Battalion and after pre-embarkation leave boarded the Stratheden on the 7th November. A brief stop at Freemantle in Western Australia found Jim going ‘exploring’ and inevitably attracting a fine of £1/10/-. for being Absent Without Leave. He was also docked a full day’s pay. He eventually disembarked at Port Said on the 17th December and was soon undertaking weapons training at Dimra.
Little did Jim know that he would become one of the highly respected ‘Rats of Tobruk’. This unofficial title was designed to destroy morale of the troops who sheltered in hand hewn, sandy dugouts, with rats and flies. It had the opposite effect and was seized on as a badge of honour.
Having barely arrived in the Middle East, Jim was wounded in action in April ’41, and sustained concussion. At the time, the 2/48th Battalion was involved in fierce fighting, with several fellow soldiers in the 2/48th also being wounded and listed in newspapers back home. They included Pte. Robert T. Christie, SX8273, Angaston (later died of wounds); Pte. George A. Cohen, SX8165, Angle Vale; Pte. R. G. Daniels, SX7863, Rosewater Gardens; Pte. Charles S. Deering, SX77O2, Alberton; Sgt. Jack W. Hanley, SX7129, Grassmere; Pte. Ray B. Lovelock, SX7399, Karoonda; Cpl. Francis B. Pearson, SX7056, Kilkenny; Pte. Angus R. Sara, SX9334, Ethelton; Pte. Ronald A. Small, SX7891, Redfern; Pte. E. Smith, SX506O, Ivanhoe (Vic) and Pte. James A. Tregilgas, SX6885, Norwood.
In that encounter, some of Jim’s fellow soldiers were awarded honours for their bravery and leadership. They included Sergeant Len Batty who led an attack directly up to an enemy battery whilst under heavy fire from anti-tank and machine guns over just 50 yards. He was the first South Australian awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Two others were awarded the Military Medal, Ron Daniels SX7863 and SX7272 Private John Spavin.
Following time in the Guard Battalion, Jim left the Middle East at the end of January, ’43 heading home via Sydney. He was unfortunate to dislocate his shoulder in April, spending more time in hospital, before being granted leave and then being discharged medically unfit for service on the 1st November ‘43.
Aged 57, and a decade after his discharge, James died on the 14th November 1953 in hospital. He was buried at Centennial Park Cemetery in the General AA section, Path 1, Grave 739. His headstone reads ‘In Loving Memory’.
His siblings announced his death and quiet farewell. TREGILGAS.— On November 14 in hospital, James Andrew, loved son of the late Mr. and Mrs. A. Tregilgas and brother of Ethel, Edith, Lucy and Vera, also Amanda, Leila, Elsie and Arnold (deceased). Aged 57 years. (Late of Norwood. ‘TREGILGAS.— THE FRIENDS of the late Mr. JAMES ANDREW TREGILGAS, late of 12 South ter.. Adelaide (late 2nd 48th Batt. 2nd A.I.F.) are respectfully informed that- his Remains were peacefully laid to rest (privately) in the Centennial Park Cemetery, on MONDAY. November 16. Rev. S. A. Mainstone kindly officiated.’
Researched and written by Kaye Lee daughter of Bryan Holmes, SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.