James Albert Henry

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Sat, 02/01/2016 - 08:50

First Name:

James

Middle Name:

Albert

Last Name:

Henry

Date of Birth:

Saturday, May 10, 1890

Mother's Name:

Bridget Henry nee Justin

Father's Name:

Humphrey Henry

Date Enlisted:

Tuesday, November 30, 1915

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Private

Unit:

1st Battalion

Company:

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Sunday, November 5, 1916

Place of Death:

Flers, France

Cause of Death:

Killed in action

Details:

James Henry (Service No 5119) was 25 years old, single and worked as a farm labourer at Nowra, N.S.W. when he joined the Waratah March and enlisted.

James embarked on SS Makarini with 16th Reinforcements, 1st Battalion on 1st April 1916. After arriving in Egypt on 2nd May 1916 James was sent to France immediately. He arrived in France on 17th May 1916 and joined 14 Platoon, D Company on 18th June and was involved in the fighting at Pozieres.

James was wounded in action between 22nd and 25th July and admitted to hospital in France for treatment of a gun shot wound to his right eye. He rejoined his unit in Belgium on 5th September 1916 and soon after the troops were returned to France.

On 5th November 1916 he was reported missing in action at Flers. In early 1917, evidence of James' death was brought to light when an eye witness (Private James Warne, Service No 5478) gave evidence that he had buried James after on 5th November after fierce fighting. A cross was placed where he was buried, and his military identification disc removed by Private Warne.

The location of James' grave is inknown; he is commemorated on the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneaux, France.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, HENRY J A 5119