| Regimental number | 3730 |
| Place of birth | Footscray, Victoria |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Occupation | Engine driver |
| Address | Lauriston, Victoria |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 25 |
| Height | 5' 9" |
| Weight | 164 lbs |
| Next of kin | Father, George F Fincher, Lauriston, Victoria |
| Previous military service | Member, Lauriston Rifle Club; previously member, for 3 years, Smythsdale Rifle Club. |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Melbourne, Victoria |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 7th Battalion, 12th Reinforcement |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/24/3 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A40 Ceramic on |
| Regimental number from Nominal Roll | Commissioned |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Lieutenant |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 5th Pioneer Battalion |
| Promotions |
2nd Lieutenant Unit: 5th Pioneer Battalion Promotion date: Lieutenant Unit: 5th Pioneer Battalion Promotion date: |
| Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Mention in Despatches Awarded, and promulgated, 'London Gazette', Second Supplement No. 30107 (1 June 1917); 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 169 (4 October 1917). Recommendation date: Mention in Despatches Awarded, and promulgated, 'London Gazette' No. 30706 (28 May 1918); 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 165 (24 October 1918). |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Discharge date | |
| Family/military connections | Brothers: 472 Pte Charles FINCHER, 5th Bn, killed in action, 25 April 1915; 3729 Lt George Francis FINCHER, 59th Bn, returned to Australia, 8 May 1919. |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Western Front Taken on strength,59th Bn, Tel el Kebir, 26 February 1916. Transferred to 5th Pioneer Bn, and taken on strength, 3 March 1916. Promoted Corporal, Ferry Post, 14 May 1916. Promoted Sergeant, Moascar, 6 June 1916. Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 19 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 25 June 1916. Appointed Company Quartermaster Sergeant, 29 June 1917. Appointed Company Sergeant Major, 23 September 1917. On leave to United Kingdom, 21 December 1917; rejoined Bn from leave, 5 January 1918. Selected to attend Infantry Cadet Course, 27 January 1918; joined No 4 Officers Cadets Bn, Oxford, 8 March 1918; qualified for commission, 30 June 1918. Appointed 2nd Lieutenant, 20 August 1918. Proceeded overseas to France, 5 September 1918; rejoined 5th Pioneer Bn, in the fuield, 12 September 1918. Marched out to England for return to Australia, 11 January 1919. Promoted Lieutenant, 20 November 1918. Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'City of Poona', 23 March 1919; disembarked Meklbourne, 14 May 1919; discharged (appointment terminated), Melbourne, 6 July 1919. Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Date of death | |
| Age at death | 64 |
| Place of burial | Mildura Cemetery, Victoria |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, FINCHER James Francis |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
