James David Watts
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 18 Mar 1897 |
| Place of Birth | Queenstown, Victoria |
| Death | 10 Mar 1985, aged 88 |
| Place of Death | Armadale, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 44 years, 3 months |
| Description | 5'7½" (1.71m) tall ; ; dark complexion ; dark brown eyes ; dark brown hair ; GSW to right knee |
| Occupation | Labourer |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Fifth road, Armadale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Wife , Mrs. Elizabeth Ellen Watts |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | W31851 |
| Date of Enlistment | 21 Jun 1941 |
| Rank | Lance Corporal |
| Unit/Formation | Lae Prisoner of War Camp |
| Military Movement | |
| 1st Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 25 Jul 1945 ‒ 3 Aug 1945 |
| Transport Details | HMT Katoomba Sydney to Lae, New Guinea |
| Return to Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 21 Oct 1945 ‒ 22 Oct 1945 |
| Transport Details | plane Lae, New Guinea to Perth |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Medals |
1939-45 Star ? Pacific Star War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 |
Pre War
During WW 1 James had served with the 51st battalion in France and Belgium.
Married Elizabeth Ellen Murphy (1890 - 1965) in Fremantle during 1918.
Electoral Roll entries: 1922 at 45 Chaffers street Boulder, miner; 1925 - 1928 Oaklands Estate, Byford, settler; 1931 cnr Fifth road & Ninth avenue, Armadale, labourer; 1936 - 1943 Fremantle road, Armadale, labourer
War Service
Original enlistment was from 24 Jun 1941 in the CMF part time. He was called up for full time duty on 15 Dec 1941 when he was posted to the 5th Australian Garrison Battalion. On 20 Mar 1942 he was classified as Trade Group III Driver/Mechanic. From 6 to 20 Jun he was treated by the 110th Australian Base Hospital before being released to the 109th Australian Convalescent Depot who discharged him to his unit on 27 Jun 1942. On 30 Dec 1942 he was transferred to the 9th Auxiliary Horse Transport Company where on 6 Mar 1943 he was appointed Lance Corporal. On 24 Aug 1944, aged 47 his medical classification was changed to 'A1'.
James was admitted to 75th Australian Camp Hospital from 2 - 7 Jan 1945 with tonsillitis. Following his release from hospital he was sent to the Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot for re-assignment, and on 3 Mar 1945 he was posted to the New South Wales Recruit Reception & General Details Depot as there was nothing for him in Western Australia.
On 8 May 1945 he was posted to the Liverpool POW & Intern Camp, and following training he was detached to 20th Australian POW Camp, (Lae).This required him to embark on HMT Katoomba in Sydney on 25 Jul 1945, disembarking at Lae, New Guinea on 3 Aug 1945. With the war concluding only days after his arrival, he was sent back to Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot for discharge, emplaning in Lae on 21 Oct 1945, and arriving in Perth the next day. On 6 Nov 1945 James was discharged.
Post War
Electoral Roll entries: 1949 - 1958 Fifth road, Armadale, labourer; 1968 had moved to 46 John street, Armadale, labourer; 1972 - 1980 at 44a John street, Armadale, labourer.
Notes
Age at death does not tally with birth date.