James Walsh (abt. 1862)

Born about 1862 in Ireland

Biography

James was born about 1862 in Ireland.

He had served in the Boer War, although it isn't clear what unit he served with. He claimed to have had 5 years active service.

In 1917 he tried unsuccessfully to enlist in the Australian Imperial Force in Sydney, NSW. Given his age he was unsuccessful, but was accepted for home service and served as a guard (B Coy) at the Holsworthy German Concentration Camp. Prior to enlisting he had worked for a builder and contractor in Sydney, NSW.

In 1917 he applied to become an Australian War Worker under a joint Australian government/ British government scheme to supply labourers and navvys for the War effort in the UK. At the time he was a widower and was living at the Concentration Camp.

He was accepted and his agreement was signed on 22 Sep 1917. His application was lost and he completed another one in Dec 1917. James was issued with Australian War Worker Badge No. 2029 and embarked on the SS "Borda" from Adelaide, South Australia on 05 Jan 1918. At Capetown, South Africa he became sick while ashore and missed the sailing. This was to cause considerable anguish as his belongings, including his Boer War medal had remained on the ship and arrived well before him. He landed at Plymouth, England on 22 Mar 1918 from the SS "Beltana".

He commenced work at Skinningrove Iron Works as a labourer on 25 Apr 1918.

James was intermittently sick from mid- Dec 1918 and after being examined by the AIF Medical Officer in London on 23 Jan 1919 was found to be in generally poor condition suffering from bronchial catarrh and gastritis. He was recommended for return to Australia.

On 01 Mar 1919 he was admitted to 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Dartford suffering from influenza. He was discharged from hospital on 05 Mar 1919. He was very committed to not losing his spot on the "Eastern".

James returned to Australia on the SS "Eastern", departing from Tilbury, England on 13 Mar 1919. His agreement was terminated due to ill health on 17 May 1919 after disembarking in Sydney. He received medical attention in hospital in Sydney and was discharged from there on 19 Jun 1919.

He was living in Marrickville, NSW in 1919.

Sources

• WW1 Applications to enlist in the Australian Imperial Force - National Archives of Australia - Walsh, James; age 52; address - Sydney NSW - http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/scripts/AutoSearch.asp?O=I&Number=9734464

• WW1 Australian War Worker Service File - National Archives of Australia - WALSH James - Munitions Worker Number 2029 [2141] - http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/scripts/AutoSearch.asp?O=I&Number=5910182