James Pankhurst

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Mon, 11/07/2016 - 10:00

First Name:

James

Last Name:

Pankhurst

Date of Birth:

Monday, September 2, 1895

Mother's Name:

Julia Pankhurst nee Potter

Father's Name:

George Pankhurst

Date Enlisted:

Tuesday, November 3, 1914

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Private

Unit:

5th pioneers

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

1914/1915 Star

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Details:

James Pankhurst (Service No 1416) was born in Tilbury, England.

At enlistment James was single, 20 years old, worked as a ship's steward, and lived at Bulli, N.S.W.

He embarked from Sydney on HMAT A48 Seang Bee with 2nd Reinforcements, 3rd Battalion, on 11th February 1915. He arrived in Egypt in time to join the 25th April landing at Gallipoli. James landed about 8am and was assigned to the beach party. He spent the campaign travelling between Gallipoli and Egypt ferrying stores and loading and unloading ships.

In June 1915 James was admitted to hospital in Cairo with influenza. After the evacuation he was posted to 5th Pioneers in Egypt on 3rd March 1916.

James arrived in France on 25th May 1916 and saw service on the Western Front. He survived uninjured but by late 1917 his health was failing.

On 29th October 1917 he was admitted to hospital in England with tonsillitis and did not return to France until 17th April 1918. On 5th October 1918 he was admitted to hospital in France with influenza.

On 25th October he was transferred to 5th Supply Depot.

On 1st April 1919 he was invalided back to Australia and discharged from the AIF.

NOTE: on some documents, James' Service No is incorrectly recorded as 1116.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, PANKHURST JAMES