James Thomas HAMPSON

Regimental number4503
Place of birthHawksburn, Victoria
SchoolCarlton Public School, Carlton, Victoria
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationClerk
AddressWyatt Avenue, Burwood, New South Wales
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation20
Next of kinMother, Mrs Eva Craig, Wyatt Avenue, Burwood, New South Wales
Previous military service4th Light Horse, NSW for 2 years
Enlistment date11 May 1915
Rank on enlistmentBugler
Unit nameNo 3 Australian General Hospital
AWM Embarkation Roll number26/67/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board RMS Mooltan on 15 May 1915
Regimental number from Nominal RollCommissioned
Rank from Nominal Roll2nd Lieutenant
Unit from Nominal Roll19th Battalion
Other details from Roll of Honour CircularDetails from Mother: "Action fo which N/C was granted. During the attack in Mt. St. Quentin on the 31st August, 1918 this officer showed splendid courage and initiative in handlinghis company under extreme trying and difficult circumstances. His Company Commander and other boy officers having become casualties he immediately took command of the Company which at the time was suffering severe casualties from enemy Machine Gun fire which was holding up the advance with disregard of the iminant danger. This officer personally led his men against these machine gun positions and successfully bombed and captured the posts. The occupants of which were killed while attempting to withdraw. He set a fine example to his men and his bravery and good work was responsible for maintaining the lien at a critical time when the when the already weakened Company was being quickly depleted by casualties.
FateDied of wounds 6 October 1918
Place of death or woundingPeronne, France
Age at death27
Age at death from cemetery records27
Place of burialTincourt New British Cemetery (Plot VI, Row D, Grave No. 17), France
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
  Australian War Memorial
88
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Parents: Richard and Eva HAMPSON, "Indure", Wyatt Avenue, Burwood, New South Wales
Medals

Military Cross

'In the attack on Mont St. Quentin, near Peronne, on 31st August, 1918, his company commander and other officers having become casualties, he took command of the company, which was suffering severe casualties from hostile machine gun fire, and with utter disregard of danger he led his men against three machine gun positions, capturing them and killing the occupants. He set a splendid example of courage and determination to all ranks.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 67
Date: 3 June 1919

Family/military connectionsBrother: 2773 Pte William Kingston HAMPSON, 17th Field Ambulance, returned to Australia, 2 December 1917.
Other detailsMedals: Military Cross, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal