James Arnold
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 4 Jul 1888 |
| Place of Birth | Brighton, Victoria |
| Death | 31 Jul 1952, aged 64 |
| Place of Death | Subiaco, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 28 years, 9 months |
| Description |
5'5½" (1.66m) tall ; 154lbs 69.853 kg ; fair complexion ; blue eyes ; fair hair |
| Occupation | Farmer |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Address | Serpentine, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr. Robert Arnold |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 660 |
| Date of Enlistment | 31 Jan 1916 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 44th Battalion, C Company / 11th Brigade, 3rd Division |
| Date of Embarkation | 6 Jun 1916 ‒ 21 Jul 1916 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A29 Suevic |
| Date of Return | 1 Jun 1919 ‒ 8 Jul 1919 |
| Ship Returned On | SS Somali |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Monument |
Serpentine Roll of Honour ANZAC Memorial Park (Byford) |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
Electoral Roll entries - 1910 - 1913 Serpentine, a gardener. As a child he had attended Serpentine Primary School.
War Service
After enlistment James moved through a number of Depot Companies at Blackboy Hill camp before being allocated to the 44th Battalions 1st Reinforcement draft and then on 2 Jun 1916 to the 44th Battalion itself, with the battalion embarking for England on 6 Jun 1916. Enroute to England, during the stop over in Cape Town, James absconded from the ship HMAT A29 Suevic for six hours on 25 Jun 1916, and after being confined to ship he absconded a second time, earning himself 72 hours detention and the loss of four days pay. He also had to perform all guards and fatigues for the rest of the journey.
On arrival in England the battalion was sent to Larkhill camp and on 8 Nov 1916 James was found guilty of being AWOL from midnight on 3 Nov to 9:30pm on 4 Nov 1916. James was awarded two days Field Punishment No 2, and had to forfeit 3 days pay. The battalion proceeded overseas to France from Southampton on 25 Nov 1916, arriving in Le Havre at 6:30am on the 26th. At 3pm on the 27th they entrained for Bailleul, arriving there the next day at 8pm, and were then marched to Steenwerck where they went into reserve.
On 30 Nov 1916 James was detached to the Army's School of Musketry in France, seemingly remaining with them until 8 Feb 1919 when he returned to the 44th Battalion. Before rejoining them, he was granted 14 days English leave in Nov 1918.
Less than two months after rejoining the 44th, he returned to Codford in the UK (8 Apr 1919) for preparation for return to Australia. James was discharged by the 5th Military District on 22 Aug 1919.
Post War
During 1922 James married Marion Gaskell Thomas in Perth. A son Clement James was born 1924 in Bassendean, but died 6 May 1925 in Bassendean. Marion died in 1928.
Notes