James Henry Larkin
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | c1870 |
| Place of Birth | Carlingford, Ireland |
| Age at Enlistment | 44 years, 11 months |
| Description |
5'6½" (1.69m) tall ; 145lbs 65.771 kg ; dark complexion ; blue eyes ; light brown hair ; tattoo of anchor on left forearm |
| Occupation | Labourer |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Address | 7 Pier street, Perth, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Sister , Mrs Elizabeth Doyle |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 5164 |
| Date of Enlistment | 10 Nov 1915 |
| Rank | Sapper |
| Unit/Formation | 13th Field Company, 3rd Reinforcement posted to No 9 Section. |
| Date of Embarkation | 17 Dec 1915 ‒ ?? Jan 1916 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A35 Berrima Sydney to Egypt |
| Date of Return | 8 Apr 1917 |
| Ship Returned On | HMAT A37 Barambah England to Fremantle |
| Date of Return | 15 Aug 1917 ‒ 23 Aug 1917 |
| Ship Returned On | HMAT A15 Port Sydney Fremantle to Sydney |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Monument | Gosnells Road Board Honour Roll |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
A Widower.
War Service
On entering Blackboy Hill camp on 10 Nov 1915, James was allocated to the 35th Depot Company to begin his basic training. Two days later he was mustered as a Sapper and transferred to Engineering reinforcements, initially the 2nd draft for the 6th Field Company, but later the 3rd draft for the 13th Company.
On 6 Mar 1916 at Tel-el-Kebir in Egypt James was taken on strength by the Engineers 13th Field Company, and on 28 May 1916 at Alexandria he was embarked on HMT Briton for England. Arriving on 8 Jun 1916 he was sent to the Australian Engineers Training Depot at Brightlingsea. While there he spent from 14 Sep to 4 Oct 1916 in the Mont D'Orr Hospital, and later from 5 Nov 1916 until 18 Nov 1916 in the Hilsea Hospital with VD.
On 4 Dec 1916 James proceeded overseas to France via Folkestone. However, on 31 Feb 1917 he returned to England from the Australian General Base Depot in France
James's return to Australia was to terminate in Sydney but after boarding the HMAT A33 Ayrshire he took leave, authorised or other wise and 'missed the boat', resulting in his having to complete the journey to Sydney on the HMAT A15 Port Sydney while forfeiting six day's pay. Arriving in Sydney he was taken on strength by the 2nd Military District on 24 Aug 1917. Discharged by the 2nd Military District on 6 Oct 191ason medically unfit - rheumatism.
Post War
His application for pension was rejected as not being war caused.
Notes