GRACE, James
| Service Number: | 3564 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 31st Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Boonah, Queensland, Australia, date not yet discovered |
| Home Town: | Cannon Creek, Scenic Rim, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Farmer |
| Died: | Meningitis, South Africa, 8 October 1916, age not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Woltemade Cemetery (Maitland), Cape Town |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Boonah War Memorial, Maroon War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 16 Aug 1916: | Involvement Private, 3564, 31st Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '16' embarkation_place: Brisbane embarkation_ship: HMAT Boorara embarkation_ship_number: A42 public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 16 Aug 1916: | Embarked Private, 3564, 31st Infantry Battalion, HMAT Boorara, Brisbane |
Narrative
James Grace #3564 31st Battalion
James Grace was born in Boonah in 1896, the son of William and Sarah Grace. The Grace family farmed land at Cannon Creek just south of Boonah.
James Grace presented himself to the recruiting depot at Boonah on 31st January 1916. He provided an enlistment form signed by both parents as he was under age. Two days later James attended the recruiting depot at Adelaide Street in Brisbane where the rest of the formalities to induct him into the AIF were completed. His attestation papers show James Grace of Cannon Creek near Boonah, aged 20, occupation farmer.
James marched in to Bell’s Paddock Enoggera and was placed in the 11th Depot Battalion before being allocated as part of the 8th reinforcements for the 31st Battalion. In April, James was granted a period of home leave to see his parents and attend a send off organised by his family and friends. On 16th August 1916, James boarded the “Boorara” in Brisbane and sailed for Sydney and then Melbourne before heading west across the Indian Ocean.
When the “Boorara” arrived in Capetown on 19th September, James was transferred to the #2 General Hospital. His records simply state the word “sick.” Eventually a diagnosis of cerebrospinal meningitis was arrived at and James was transferred to the City Infectious Hospital where he subsequently died on 8th October. James was buried in the Military section of the Maitland Cemetery in Capetown with clergy and a guard of honour in attendance.
Sarah Grace, as James next of kin, received his kit bag and a parcel which contained a wallet and a wrist watch. In due course, medals and memorial items were despatched.
An interesting footnote to this story is that at the end of the second world war, Anzac Day was commemorated in Capetown for the first time. The Australian authorities wrote to James’ eldest surviving relative, his elder brother Jack, to advise the family of the honour paid to their departed brother.
Submitted 23 February 2021 by Ian Lang
Biography contributed by Ian Lang
James Grace #3564 31st Battalion
James Grace was born in Boonah in 1896, the son of William and Sarah Grace. The Grace family farmed land at Cannon Creek just south of Boonah.
James Grace presented himself to the recruiting depot at Boonah on 31st January 1916. He provided an enlistment form signed by both parents as he was under age. Two days later James attended the recruiting depot at Adelaide Street in Brisbane where the rest of the formalities to induct him into the AIF were completed. His attestation papers show James Grace of Cannon Creek near Boonah, aged 20, occupation farmer.
James marched in to Bell’s Paddock Enoggera and was placed in the 11th Depot Battalion before being allocated as part of the 8th reinforcements for the 31st Battalion. In April, James was granted a period of home leave to see his parents and attend a send off organised by his family and friends. On 16th August 1916, James boarded the “Boorara” in Brisbane and sailed for Sydney and then Melbourne before heading west across the Indian Ocean.
When the “Boorara” arrived in Capetown on 19th September, James was transferred to the #2 General Hospital. His records simply state the word “sick.” Eventually a diagnosis of cerebrospinal meningitis was arrived at and James was transferred to the City Infectious Hospital where he subsequently died on 8thOctober. James was buried in the Military section of the Maitland Cemetery in Capetown with clergy and a guard of honour in attendance.
Sarah Grace, as James next of kin, received his kit bag and a parcel which contained a wallet and a wrist watch. In due course, medals and memorial items were despatched.
An interesting footnote to this story is that at the end of the second world war, Anzac Day was commemorated in Capetown for the first time. The Australian authorities wrote to James’ eldest surviving relative, his elder brother Jack, to advise the family of the honour paid to their departed brother.
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