Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

James Byrne was born in Mount Gambier, SA.  His address on enlistment was in Beachport on the Limestone Coast, where he worked as a grocer. His mother who was listed as his next of kin was at that time listed as a resident of Crouch Street in Mt Gambier. James was listed as 'single', aged 24 yo.

He embarked with the 19th Reinforcements of the 10th Infantry Battalion.

After undergoing training in the UK he was detached for Duty with the APM (Australian Provost Marshall - Military Police) in April 1917.  In September  he was transferred to the Divisonal Traffic Control Unit with which he served out the remainder of the War.. 

He returned to Australia 16 June 1919

War service: Western Front

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal.

ames was the son of Luke BYRNE & Ellen CROKER and was born on the 26th of April 1892 in Beachport, SA.

His parents were married on the 5th of February 1890 in St Paul’s Catholic Church, Mt Gambier, SA.

His father was the son of James BYRNE & Elizabeth FLYNN and was born on the 11th of August 1860 in Mt Gambier, SA.
His mother was the daughter of Edward CROKER & Margaret BURNS and was born in 1869.

James was the second child born into the family of 10 children.

ames was educated in Mt Gambier and then gained employment as a grocer.

At the age of 24, James enlisted in the 1st AIF on the 10th of May 1916 in Millicent, SA and was allotted the service number 6049 and posted to E Company, 2nd Depot Battalion in Mitcham Camp. He was then transferred to the 10th Battalion, 19th Reinforcements.

James embarked from Adelaide on board HMAT A70 Ballarat on the 12th of August 1916, disembarked in Plymouth on the 30th of September and marched into the 3rd Training Battalion at Perham Downs.

James proceeded to France and after serving a short time with the 10th Battalion he was detached to the 1st Australian Division Headquarters for duty with the Assistant Provost Marshal (APM) and then the Traffic Control Unit.

James embarked from England on the 16th of June 1919 on board HT Ormonde, disembarking in Adelaide on the 29th of July.

James was discharged from the AIF on the 13th of September 1919.

James married Agnes DALY and they made their home in Crouch Street, Mt Gambier and welcome 3 children into their family; Brian, John & Patricia

James died at Harrow, Victoria on the 14th of July 1945 and he was buried 2 days later in the Lake Terrace Cemetery, Mt Gambier; Section L, Plot 791.

Military

At the age of 24, James enlisted in the 1st AIF on the 10th of May 1916 in Millicent, SA and was allotted the service number 6049 and posted to E Company, 2nd Depot Battalion in Mitcham Camp.
He listed his mother, of Crouch Street, Mt Gambier, SA, as his next of kin.

On the 22nd of June he was transferred to the 10th Battalion, 19th Reinforcements.

James embarked from Adelaide on board HMAT A70 Ballarat on the 12th of August 1916, disembarked in Plymouth on the 30th of September and marched into the 3rd Training Battalion at Perham Downs.

James proceeded to France on the 4th of December and marched into the 1st Australian Divisional Base Depot (ADBD) in Etaples.
He spent Christmas 1916 here before marching out to the 10th Battalion at Bazentin House Camp, near Longueval, on the 29th and then was taken on strength with them on the 2nd of January 1917.

They then moved to Hobart Camp before entraining to Meaulte and marching to Dernancourt 4 days later, where they continued their training in musketry.
Then on the 14th they moved by march to Bresle, via Buire to continue training.
After 10 days here they marched to Albert and here on the 9th of February James was detached to the 1st Australian Division Headquarters for duty with the Assistant Provost Marshal (APM) - Military Police.

He spent 6 weeks here before returning to the 10th Battalion on the 23rd of March, who were now located at Bresle.
James then moved into the front line north of Longueval on the 7th of April and then 7 days later he was detached back to the Assistant Provost Marshal with 1st Division Headquarters at Fricourt.

The 1st Division Headquarters was generally located several miles behind the front line during the war and constantly moved with the front line.
By the 25th of September they had moved to Steenvoorde and James was then detached to the 1st Australian Division Traffic Control Unit.

By Christmas 1917 they were located at Dranoutre and then on the 25th of January 1918 James gained 2 weeks leave to England.
James served out the remainder of the War with the Traffic Control Unit and when the Armistice was signed on the 11th of November 1918 they were located at St. Souplet.
James’s last Christmas away from his family and friends was spent at Presees Chateau, near Chatelet.
They then moved to Presles and on the 24th of April 1919 James marched out for return to England and the following day marched into No.1 Group awaiting his embarkation back home to Australia.

James embarked from England on the 16th of June 1919 on board HT Ormonde, disembarking in Adelaide on the 29th of July.

James was discharged from the AIF on the 13th of September 1919 and awarded the British War & Victory Medals.