James Wickham (Alias Alexander S Sneddon)

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Fri, 20/03/2015 - 14:18

First Name:

James

Last Name:

Wickham

Alternate Spelling:

Alexander Sneddon

Mother's Name:

Catherine (nee Muir)

Father's Name:

Alfred Wickham

Date Enlisted:

Monday, May 8, 1916

Rank at Enlistment:

Sapper

Rank at Discharge:

Lance Corporal

Unit:

Tunnelling Company

Awards:

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Details:

Sapper James Wickham (service no. 5837) was born in Mount Kembla circa 1890.

James initially enlisted under his real name on 11th January, 1916 but was "discharged for making false attestations" on the 15th January, 1916. He enlisted again in May 1916 using the name of Alexander Sneddon. His file notes this and a name change to Wickham was made on his file.

He embarked on HMAT A38 Ulysses on 25th October, 1916 with the Tunnelling Company Reinforcements. He served on the Western Front as a miner.

While in England he married Ruby Freeman and his file noted on 10th July, 1918 a change of next of kin to his wife. They returned to Australia in September 1919 and he was discharged as Lance Corporal on 9th November, 1919.

In 1929 James Wickham joined the New South Wales Police and he was assigned to Rose Bay station. Records show he was still alive in 1959.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, WICKHAM JAMES

NAA: Consult Australian War Memorial - Wickham James

NAA: Consult Australian War Memorial - Private A S Sneddon