Enlistment Address

Springfield, Gilgandra, NSW

Service Number

4847

Unit

13th Battalion, 15th Reinforcement

Comment

Gilgandra NSW

Fate

Returned to Australia 16.7.1918

Information

Lance Corporal James Maher 4847

James was an 18 year old farmer with his father, John on ‘Springfield’ Gilgandra NSW when he enlisted with the Coo-ees. The Medical examination was completed at Dubbo and described him as 5’ 7” tall, 136lbs (61kgs), medium complexion, grey eyes and dark brown hair and no distinctive marks. He was Roman Catholic. He was a member of the Gilgandra Rifle Club.

After training at Liverpool, he embarked for Egypt on the Star of England on March 8, 1916. After training in Egypt, James transferred to the 45^th Battalion, arriving in France at the Western Front in June 1916 to face Pozieres and Mouquet Farm as part of The Battle of the Somme in August 1916. James was wounded in action and admitted to hospital in February 1917 with a severe gunshot wound to the chest and ankle.

James was transferred through the Casualty Clearing Station in the field, the 36^th General Hospital in Etaples, the Military Hospital in Chatham, England, then to Harefield Hospital where William Hitchen had died in 1916. He returned to Australia on the hospital ship Kanowna December 16 1917 and was discharged on July 10, 1918.

James died March 25 1967 aged 59.

He received the Victory Medal and the British War Medal.