James Edward Laugher
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | not known |
| Place of Birth | Hobart, Tasmania |
| Death | 2 May 1915 |
| Place of Death | Gallipoli, Turkey |
| Age at Enlistment | 27 years, 5 months |
| Description | 5'4½" (1.64m) tall; weight 140 lbs (63.5 kg); fair complexion, blue eyes, light brown hair. |
| Occupation | mill hand |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Jarrahdale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father Mr A. Laugher |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 786 |
| Date of Enlistment | 26 Sep 1914 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 16th Battalion, 1st Reinforcement / 4th Brigade |
| Date of Embarkation | 22 Dec 1914 - 3 Feb 1915 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A35 Berrima |
| Fate | Killed in Action 2 May 1915 at Baby 700, Gallipoli |
| Monument |
Jarrahdale War Memorial Jarrahdale Honour Roll Lone Pine Memorial ANZAC Memorial Park (Byford) Australian War Memorial[1] |
| Medals |
1914-15 Star British War Medal Victory Medal |
Contents
Pre War
War Service
As a member of the 1st reinforcement draft for the battalion, James also completed only part of his training at Blackboy Hill camp, with the rest provided at the Broadmeadows camp near Melbourne where he 4th Brigade had assembled. From here they sailed to Alexandria in Egypt as part of the second convoy of 16 transports.
James' military records are devoid of any early detail other than that he was transferred to C Company on 22 Mar 1915, so we might assume that he landed with the main body of 16th Battalion in the early evening of 25 Apr 1915. On 2 May 1915 the battalion was part of the troops involved in an attack on Baby 700 a large hill on the northern flank of the Australian positions, held by the Turks. Despite several attempts to capture the feature it remained in Turkish hands. James' records show that on 15 May 1915 he was posted as missing on 2 May 1915.
It is likely that he was killed during this action on 2 May 1915, was the view of the Court of Enquiry held a year later at Serapeum in April 1916.
On file there is a statement by 400 Pte A.J. Whittington, C Coy 16th Battalion dated 3 Aug 1916 at Étaples, France.
Laugher was in C Coy, (old E Coy). He was missing before Jun 15th. Edgar Morgan, C Coy, 16th Batt. (now 48th Batt.) who is in Rollestone Camp, Salisbury was seen with Laugher the night of 2 May 1915. After than night Laugher was missing. Morgan would probably know whether he was killed or not. Pte J. Breen, C Coy, 16th Batt. saw Laugher and Morgan together on May 2nd. Laugher was a short man with a dark moustache. He came from Tasmania, but was working in Western Australia when he enlisted.[2]
James widowed mother received a pension of 20/- per fortnight from 1 Mar 1916.
Notes
Enlisted in Jarrahdale. Originally listed as Missing on 15 May 1915, a Court of Enquiry held in Serapeum, Egypt 6-8-28 Apr 1916 resolved that he was KIA 2 May 1915. Of interest the Court of Enquiry was not instigated until his mother insisted that it was so and she need a death certificate to wind up his financial affairs.
A Brother 230 Driver W Laugher of the 13th Field Ambulance died of wounds in France.
- ↑ https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1640012 accessed 26 Apr 2018
- ↑ https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/awm-media/collection/RCDIG1048504/document/5636175.PDF accessed 26 Apr 2018