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Son of William and Mary TAMSETT, Cowper Street, Harris Park, New South Wales

The deepest sympathy is expressed with the family in connection with the sad news to hand on Thursday of last week (as published in last Saturday's Argus) in reference to the  death at the Dardanelles of Private James Alwyn Tamsett, of Cowper-street, Parramatta South. Private J. A. Tamsett was the third son of Mr. William Tamsett, of Cowper-street,  Parramatta, and grandson of the veteran Hills grower. Mr. James Tamsett (now of Parramatta and formerly of Baulkham Hills), and a brother of Mrs. G. Little, (Liverpool) and Mrs.  David Roul ston (Mays Hill).

'Jim' Tamsett was 24 years of age. He was wounded severely in the chest on 22nd July and died from wounds on board the transport on the way to the hospital, and was buried at sea. He was born in Parramatta and educated at Parramatta District School, which he left on passing the Railway examination, to join the Chief Mechanical Engineer's Officers Timekeeper at Eveleigh, which position he held at time of enlistment. He was a keen enthusiast in all sport and a batsman of good promise. The young soldier left N.S.W. on the  13th April as a member of the 4th Battalion, 5th Reinforcements. He wrote last from Cairo. No letters from him since his arrival at the actual battle front have come to hand,  although some may be on their way. It was only in January of this year that he enlisted, and went into camp at Liverpool. The young Australian soldier was a popular boy - one of  those who have come out, from time to time, at the duty call of one kind or another, from the old Parramatta Methodist Sunday School. Last season he played with the Grosvenor  Cricket Club. He was engaged to the daughter of a much-esteemed Parramatta South family. 

TAMSETT.—In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Private James Alwyn Tamsett (Jim), died of wounds received in action at Gallipoli, July 22nd, 1915, aged 24 years.

"He gave his life, he gave his all."

Inserted by his sorrowing parents, sisters and brothers.

James Alwyn TAMSETT was born at Harris Park, near Parramatta, in Sydney on 5th December 1890. His parents were William E and Mary Ann Tamsett.

He joined the NSW Government Railways and Tramways  on 19th June 1908 as an apprentice clerk in the Locomotive Branch based at Eveleigh. On 1st January 1911 his position title changed to junior clerk and on 5th December 1911, his 21st birthday, he received a pay rise but his position title did not change. He became a timekeeper on 1st February 1912. On 18th October 1912 his position became that of clerk. On 18th January 1915 he was released to join the Expeditionary Forces.

James joined the AIF on 19th January 1915. He was allocated to the 5th Reinforcements to the 4th Infantry Battalion with the rank of Private (Service Number 2034). He nominated his mother as his next of kin.

He embarked for Egypt aboard HMAT A55 ‘Kyarra’ at Sydney on 13th April 1915. He disembarked in Egypt left Egypt for Gallipoli. He was taken on strength of the 4th Infantry Battalion at Gallipoli on 17th June 1915. On 21st July 1915 he was wounded in action, receiving a hand grenade wound which penetrated his abdomen. He was initially taken to the Anzac Hospital for treatment before being put aboard the Hospital Ship ‘Sicilia’ to be evacuated to Malta.

He died on board this ship on 22nd July 1915 and was buried at sea.

James is commemorated at the Lone Pine Memorial, Gallipoli Peninsula, Canakkale Province, Turkey. His place of association is Parramatta, Sydney, NSW.

- based on the Australian War Memorial Honour Roll and notes for the Great Sydney Central Station Honour Board.