James Swift

James Swift (Service No 25644) was born in Sydney.

At enlistment James was single, 27 years old, worked as a miner and lived at Keiraville, N.S.W.  He had served 3 years with the Garrison Artillery Militia.  James nominated his sister, Mrs D I Davis, of Rosemont Street, Wollongong, N.S.W. as his next-of-kin. 

He embarked from Sydney on board HMAT A67 Orsova with Divisional Ammunition Column 4, Reinforcement 4, on 29th July 1916.  He arrived in England on 14th September 1916 and joined 39th Battery, 10th Field Artillery in France on 5th January 1917.

James saw service on the Western Front.  He was admitted to hospital on 22nd July 1917 with trench fever and returned to duty on 26th November 1917.

On 5th September 1918 James was awarded the Millitary Medal, and promoted to Corporal soon after.  

The recommendation for his Military Medal states: 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty at CERISY on 18th August 1918. When acting as linesman with a Foreward Liason party he laid and maintained a line Brigade Headquarters under heavy machine gun and shell fire. This line he patrolled throughout the day and enabled important information to be sent back from the infantry.'  Commonwealth Gazette No 61 dated 23rd May 1919.

James was returned to Australia in June 1919 and discharged from the AIF on 17th September 1919.

Soon after arriving home he married Elsie Spriggs in Wollongong and they raised 3 children.  After the war, James was employed at the Bellambi Rescue Station; he enjoyed playing cricket and lawn bowls. 

James died in Bulli hospital in 1946. 

James' service is commemorated on Keiraville Primary School Honour Roll.