Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Also served in WW1, S.N. 6018, Sapper, Tunnelling Companies, AIF.

On various Boer War documents he is recorded under various surnames; Mullahy in AWM Boer War Nominal Roll compiled by Murray, Mullahy in the original nominal roll of the 6th QIB Qld Defence Force; Mullaly in the Boer War Service Paybooks; and Mullaly in newspaper reports 1901-1902 on soldiers in the 6th QIB. His enlistment in 1916 for WW1 was under the name Mullaly.

When James Mullaly enlsited in 1901 in the 6th QIB and his details were published with the rank and file in The Queenslander, 13 Apr 1901, he noted his N.O.K. as J. Mullaly, Seven-mile, Gympie. In the original Nominal Roll for the 6th Queensland Imperial Bushmen Contingent, held by National Archives (under Mullahy) it is noted his N.O.K. was his uncle J. Mullahy, 7-mile, Gympie.

In the Boer War Service Paybooks for the 6th QIB, Bk 2 p. 108, it indicates he ws living at Charters Towers and on discharge requested and recieved a pass to travel from Brisbane back to Charters Towers.

When he enlisted in 1916 for WW1 he noted on his Attestation Form, dated 11 Mar 1916, that; he was born at Gympie Qld and was 38 years of age; he was single and worked as a miner/labourer; his N.O.K. was his sister Mrs. Caroline Graves, West End, Qld (address later changed to Richmond, Victoria); and that he had previously served in the 6th QIB in the Boer War.

The above would suggest he was born about 1877-78, however, medical records on his WW1 service record suggest he was older. He embarked in 1916 for England and proceeded to France in 1917 where not long after arriving he was taken ill. Medical records of investigations of his illness in 1917, see p. 39 of service record, indicate he was 53 years old and had contracted tuberulosis prior to embarking from Australia. The medical records indicate his debility was classed as "overage" and he was returned to Australia medically unfit. The 53 years of age in 1917 would suggest he was born about 1863-64.

When he returned to Australia he disembarked in Melbourne and being still ill was admitted to No. 5 military hospital where he passed not long after in Aug 1917. When he passed Base Records wrote to his sister, who had been nominated as N.O.K., to see if there were any nearer blood relatives alive for distributing war medals etc.

In her reply, see p. 45 in service record, she noted that in fact his father, Charles Mullaly, was still alive and living with her but as he could not write so she was responding on his behalf. In her letter she indicates her brother may have nominated her as N.O.K. as he may have heard erroneously that his father had passed.

His death registration, under the name James Edwin Mullaly, with BDM Victoria nominates his age was 40 years when he passed in 1917. This would suggest he was born about 1876-77. While there is a James Mullaly birth registered in 1874 with BDM Qld, the parents listed are different to those on his death registration with BDM Victoria.

Given his sister and father were still alive when he passed it has been assumed that the death registration on BDM Victoria contains correct details. Therefore, it appears James Edwin Mullaly was born about 1877, possibly in Victoria, a son to Charles Mullaly and Carol Mullaly (nee Brackston).

(source- AWM Boer War Nominal Roll, Murray p. 516; National Archives Australia- B 5172 Nominal Roll for 6th Queensland Imperial Bushmen Contingent Queensland Defence Force for service in South Africa, p. 5; Qld State Archives- Boer War Service Paybooks 6th QIB, Bk 2 p. 108; National Archives Australia- WW1 service record).