The AIF Project

Robert Lawrence JAMES

Regimental number1758
Date of birth9 March 1885
Place of birthCoromandel Valley, South Australia
Place of birthCoromandel East, South Australia
SchoolPort Adelaide Public School, South Australia
OccupationWarehouseman
AddressYatala, South Australia
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation29
Height5' 10.5"
Weight140 lbs
Next of kinFather, Robert James, Commercial Road, Yatala, South Australia
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date27 November 1914
Place of enlistmentOaklands, South Australia
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name10th Battalion, 4th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/27/2
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A17 Port Lincoln on 1 April 1915
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll50th Battalion
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Military Medal


Recommendation date: 2 October 1917

FateReturned to Australia 9 March 1919
Medals

Military Medal

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty under very heavy shell fire on the YPRES MENIN Road on 25th September, 1917. During very heavy shell fire he showed utmost disregard of danger and was instrumental in forwarding munitions and supplies to the front with expedition. He was severely wounded by shell fire on 25th September, 1917, in the execution of his duty.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No 66
Date: 2 May 1918

Discharge date15 September 1919
Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front

Taken on strength, 10th Bn, Gallipoli, 5 June 1915.

Found guilty, 28 August 1915, of committing a nuisance in fire trench: awarded 4 days' Field Punishment No 2.

Disembarked Alexandria, 29 December 1915 (general Gallipoli evacuation).

Transferred to 50th Bn, 26 February 1916; taken on strength, Tel el Kebir, 27 February 1916.

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 5 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 12 June 1916.

Wounded in action, 25 September 1917 (gun shot wound, face), and admitted to 2nd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station; transferred to 16th General Hospital, Le Treport, 26 September 1917; to No 3 Convalescent Depot, 15 October 1917; to 4th Australian Division Base Depot, 1 November 1917; to 40th Stationary Hospital, Harfleur, 3 November 1917 (old facial wound).

Awarded Military Medal.

Rejoined Bn, in the field, 4 March 1918.

Admitted to 4th Australian Field Ambulance, 9 July 1918 (accidental injury: synovitis, knee), and transferred to 5th Casualty Clearing Station; to 16th General Hospital, Le Treport, 14 July 1918; to Convalescent Depot, 31 July 1918; rejoined unit, in the field, 19 September 1918.

Commenced return to Australia from Southampton on board HT 'Kashmir', 9 March 1919; disembarked Adelaide, 18 April 1919; discharged (medically unfit), Adelaide, 15 September 1919.
Date of death6 March 1968
SourcesNAA: B2455, JAMES Robert Lawrence

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