James Kershaw
From Our Contribution
 Courtesy Helen Manson | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | unknown |
| Place of Birth | Manchester, Lancashire, England |
| Death | 28 Jan 1964, aged 72 |
| Place of Death | Palmyra, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 23 Years 8 months |
| Description | 5' 11¾" (1.82m) tall; weight 178 lbs (80.7 kg); fresh complexion, brown eyes, brown hair |
| Occupation | brickmaker |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Cardup via Beenup, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Mother Mrs Alice Kershaw |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 3393 |
| Date of Enlistment | 28 Jul 1915 |
| Rank | Corporal |
| Unit/Formation | 11th Battalion, 11th Reinforcement transferred to 51st Battalion and then to the 4th Pioneer Battalion / 4th Division |
| Date of Embarkation | 2 Nov 1915 - 26 Nov 1915 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A38 Ulysses |
| Date of Return | 28 Feb 1919 - 7 Apr 1919 |
| Ship Returned On | HMAT A68 Anchises |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Monument |
Armadale War Memorial (Beenup panel) Jarrahdale Honour Board Armadale and Districts Roll of Honour Jarrahdale Honour Roll |
| Medals |
1914-15 Star British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
Electoral Roll entries: 1916, brickmaker, Brickworks via Beenup
War Service
Six weeks after entering Blackboy Hill camp, James was allocated to the 11th reinforcement draft for the 11th Battalion, and travelled with them to Egypt.
On 7 Jan 1916 he was taken on strength by the 11th Battalion, and allocated to A Company. However, with the establishment of the 51st Battalion, he was one of those transferred to the 51st Battalion on 1 Mar 1916. This may not have impressed him as on 13 Mar 1916 he was AWOL for much of the day and was punished for that lapse in discipline, and transferred three days later to the 4th Division's Pioneer Battalion at Tel-el-Kebir.
Between 26 and 28 Mar 1916 the Pioneer recruits marched the 50 or so miles through the desert to their new base at Serapeum on the Suez Canal where they alternated between training and providing working parties until 3 Jun 1916 when they entrained for Alexandria.
After a six day voyage they entered France via Marseilles on 10 Jun 1916. On 12 Jun 1916 they again travelled by train, this time to Bailleul, from where they marched to Armentiès.
On 2 Nov 1916 James was appointed Lance Corporal, and next day was AWOL for an hour in the evening so was reduced to Private. Reported sick on 12 Dec 1916 with blistered feet (4th Pioneers were building a Decauville tramline in the Ypres Salient). He returned to his unit on 2 Jan 1917.
Appointed Lance Corporal again on 9 Sep 1917, and he enjoyed 10 days leave in Paris in Feb 1918. He was promoted Corporal on 17 Aug 1918. More leave followed with a fortnight to the United Kingdom in late Aug 1918.
On 2 Jan 1919 he was chosen to attend a two week camp associated with the Army's Rugby Football Team, and as a 1915 veteran he was sent back to Australia in early 1919.
Discharged at 5th Military District 3 Jun 1919
Post War
Electoral Roll entries: 1922 Beenup; 1926 - 1930 a settler at Group 74 Gnarabup (Margaret River); 1931 - 37 a brickmaker, at Mead street Byford; 1937 returned to Group 74; 1943 - 54 Mead street Byford; 1958 - 63 retired to 32 Solomon street, Palmyra.
Notes