James Strachan
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | not known |
| Place of Birth | Lanarkshire, Scotland |
| Death | not known |
| Place of Death | not known |
| Age at Enlistment | 33 years, 3 months |
| Description | 5'6¾" (1.70m) tall; weight 150 lbs (68.0kg); fresh complexion, blue eyes, black hair. |
| Occupation | railway shunter |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Address | Mundijong, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Wife Mrs Jane Strachan |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 6093 |
| Date of Enlistment | 20 Mar 1916 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation |
16th Battalion, 19th Reinforcement transferred to 2nd Squadron Australian Flying Corps |
| Date of Embarkation | 7 Aug 1916 - 25 Sep 1916 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A28 Miltiades |
| Fate |
Wounded in Action 11 Apr 1917 1st Bullecourt Discharged in London |
| Monument |
Mundijong Honour Roll Jarrahdale Honour Roll ANZAC Memorial Park (Byford) |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
Before emigrating, James had served for three years with the Gordon Highlander Volunteers. A railway brakes-man, James had also married, on 29 Mar 1907 to Jane Murray Paterson who it seems did not come to Australia with him. Emigrated aboard SS Orvieto from London, leaving on 26 Apr 1912.
War Service
Three weeks after commencing his training James was allocated to the 19th reinforcement draft for the 16th Battalion, travelling with them to England.
James proceeded overseas to France through Folkestone aboard HMT Princesse Clementine on 28 Dec 1916, and appears to have spent some time in the depot at Étaples before joining the 16th Battalion which was near Mametz east of Albert, France on 13 Feb 1917.
On 11 Apr 1917 the 16th Battalion played a significant part in the attack on the Hindenburg Line between Bullecourt and Reincourt. A failure, due to lack of Tank and artillery support, casualties were very heavy, including James who received a bullet wound to his back. One of the lucky wounded who was able to make it back to friendly territory, he was treated by the 56th Casualty Clearing Station before being sent to the 1st General Hospital at Etretat where he was held from 13 - 19 Apr 1917. Transferred to the 4th Convalescent Depot on 19 Apr, he was returned to hospital, this time the 7th Canadian Stationary Hospital on 25 Apr 1917. From there he entered the 2nd General Hospital at Le Havre on 4 May 1917 as his back had ulcerated. On 13 May 1917 the decision was taken to evacuated James to England for treatment and he was embarked on SS Londonderry, and admitted the next day to the 5th Southern General Hospital in Portsmouth.
Recovering, on 17 Jul 1917 James was taken on strength by the 29th Training Squadron Australian Flying Corps, rated as a 2nd class airman and mustered as a Tailor. (His father was a tailor so he probably knew enough to sew together the fabric wings and body of the planes.) He was promoted to 1st class Air Mechanic on 27 Aug 1917, before on 22 Oct 1917 running into trouble and being charged with being AWOL from 9:30pm on 14 Oct to 10:00pm the following day. Made worse by his failure to report to the Guard Room and hence also for 'Breaking into Barracks". Forfeited 7 days pay in addition to the two part days that he wasn't available.
On 20 Jul 1918 he was posted to No 2 Squadron Australian Flying Corps.
He did not embark on the Kaiser-i-Hind as originally scheduled and he was subsequently discharged in London 14 May 1919 as medically unfit for further service.
Post War
Notes