FINLAY, James Bernard
| Service Number: | 1855 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 9th Light Horse Regiment |
| Born: | Quorn, SA, 1 March 1891 |
| Home Town: | Quorn, Flinders Ranges, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Jockey |
| Died: | 2 May 1944, aged 53 years, cause of death not yet discovered, place of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
West Terrace Cemetery (AIF Section) |
| Memorials: | Peterborough War Memorial, Quorn Roll of Honor |
World War 1 Service
| 5 Jan 1916: | Involvement Private, 1855, 9th Light Horse Regiment, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '2' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Afric embarkation_ship_number: A19 public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Jan 1916: | Embarked Private, 1855, 9th Light Horse Regiment, HMAT Afric, Melbourne |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by St Ignatius' College
James Vernard Finlay was born on the 1st of March 1891, at Willochra, near Quorn in the Flinders Ranges. His parents’ names were James Andrew Finlay and Eliza Ann Finlay (nee Larkin) He grew up with 7 siblings. Before the war, Finlay worked as a jockey.
Finlay enlisted on the 22nd September 1915 aged 22. In terms of his appearance, he was 5 feet and 6¾ inches, his weight was 145 pounds. His complexion was fair, his eyes were blue, and his hair was brown. He embarked 5 January 1916 from Melbourne aboard HMAT Afric.
Finlay disembarked at Egypt and trained with the 3rd Reserve Training Regiment. He was taken on strength with the 13th Field Artillery Brigade at the beginning of April and was mustered as a driver. He embarked from Alexandrina 1st August 1916 to England. On 7th December 1916, Finlay was admitted to the 1st Auxiliary Hospital due to tuberculosis in the lungs. On the 26th March 1917, he proceeded to France from Southampton, England. He served on the Western Front. Finlay was hospitalised in October with an infection and rejoined his unit 5th December.
In February 1918 he was greatned furlough and returned to the field 28th February 1918. After the war had ended Finlay took further leave from France on the 4th of February 1919, and returned on the 14th. He was admitted to hospital with another infection in May and marched out to No 2 Depot at the beginning of July.
He embarked 7th of September to return to Australia. During his travels, on the 3rd of October 1919, he was admitted to the ship’s hospital for unknown reasons. Eventually, on the 18th of October, he disembarked at Adelaide. His official Termination of his Period of Enlistment ended on the 15th of March 1920.
He married Maud Beatrice Finlay in 1923 and together they had 4 children. James Bernard Finlay died on the 2nd of May 1944, and his grave is located at West Terrace Cemetery. He is commemorated on two memorials in South Australia. Peterborough War Memorial and Quorn Roll of Honour.
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