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James Frost - Information

James Frost was a member of a Campbelltown family. He was born and raised in the area, before moving to Lidcombe. Here, James lived on Raymond St with his wife, Martha, and worked as a stonemason. At the age of 43, he enlisted in Holsworthy on the 22nd of September 1915. James trained at Holsworthy Depot, where he was promoted to Sergeant on the 1st of October and was posted to the 7th Squad, 2nd Australian Remount Unit. James left Sydney Harbour on the 10th of November 1915 aboard the HMAT Orsova. His unit arrived in Egypt only to be demobilised shortly after disembarking. In Egypt, James and his unit trained horses to serve in various Mounted Units. Horses had to learn how to work closely with other horses as part of a team, ignoring artillery and gun fire to follow commands. It is rarely acknowledged that horses, as well as soldiers suffered greatly while serving in the Middle East. Horses had to contend with the tremendous heat, flies, sandstorms, and were also wounded and killed by enemy fire. Sadly, nearly all were left behind, given away or put down when the war ended. James returned home from Suez on the HT Seeang Bee on the 31st of May 1916, and discharged on the 17th of June.