Gilgandra, NSW
4753
13th Battalion
Gilgandra Coo-ee
KIA September 3, 1916
Private James Crawford 4753
James stated he was a 38 year old farmer of Gilgandra when he enlisted on 8 October 1915 at Gilgandra. Later his sister stated he was 48. He was 5’ 5 and 1/2”; 11stone 7lbs (73kgs); fair hair and fair complexion with blue grey eyes. James had an oval scar on his left shoulder. He had no previous military service.
He enlisted in Gilgandra and marched to Sydney with the famous Cooee March. After training in Liverpool for three months, he embarked for Egypt on the ‘Star of England’ on 8 March 1916, arriving on 11 April 1916.
After further training in Egypt, James sailed for Marseilles with the 13th Battalion, arriving 14 June 1916. He experienced the first major battle with the 13th Battalion at Pozieres in August. 1916. On the night of the 31 August 1916 the battalion was being relieved in the vicinity of Mouquet Farm when James received a gunshot wound to the back. He was evacuated to the 49th Casualty Clearing Station where he died of his wounds on 3 September 1916. He was buried at Contay British Cemetery
The Australian Red Cross Society Wounded and Missing Report from the 39th Clearing Station stated he was in a ‘considerable exhausted condition’. They also stated he died on 4 September, not 3 September.
His mother lived Hillhead, Castlefin, Donegal, Ireland and his effects were returned to her there. They included 3 brushes, collar, stud and comb, plus 2 discs, metal chain, 2 keys, wallet, pocket book, photo, company colours, religious medallions, testament, hankies, note book, clasp knife, knife, lanyard, corkscrew and letters.
James’ mother believed there may have been possessions remaining in Gilgandra and Elizabeth wrote to the Army Base requesting his address in Gilgandra. An advertisement was placed in the Gilgandra Weekly in 1917 asking for information. It is unknown if there were any replies.
A Memorial Plaque (dead man’s penny), the Victory Medal and the British War Medal were sent to his mother.
He is commemorated on the Australian War Memorial Wall of Honour on Panel 68, the Cooee March Memorial Gateway in Gilgandra and the Gilgandra & District Honor Roll in the Visitors Centre.
James was commemorated in the Last Post Ceremony held at the Australian War Memorial on 8 August 2016 and on the anniversary of his death on 3 September 2017. Members of the 2015 Coo-ee march Re-enactment were present. A video and transcript of the ceremony can be seen at
An advertisement appeared in the Gilgandra Weekly dated…1917 asking if anyone knew James Crawford, a young Irishman, who enlisted with the Gilgandra Coo-ees and has since been shot in France. Contact the local police.
