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James Geary - Information

James had watched his younger brother, Edmund, leave for war service in 1914. Sadly, he was killed in action at Lone Pine, Gallipoli in August 1915. Like his brother, James was born in Camden c1875 to David and Bridget Geary. When his parents died, James was taken care of by his sister, Mary. He later resided with Mary and her husband J. Maher in Ultimo, while he worked as a labourer. Believing it was time to do his bit, he decided to enlist in the AIF. He joined up on the 12th of January 1916 in Liverpool, aged 40. James was assigned to the 16th Reinforcements, 2nd Battalion; his brother’s former unit. While in camp, he went absent without leave for 4 days. He was then shipped abroad on the SS Makarini, which departed Sydney on the 1st of April 1916.

James disembarked in Suez in May, and proceeded to France in late July. He joined the 2nd Battalion in the field on the 10th of August. However, at the time he was not well. On the 30th of August, he was evacuated to England with debility. He was considered unfit for active service diagnosed with arterial sclerosis. He was sent back to Australia for home service, leaving Devonport on the 4th of May 1917. He was discharged in early August, and returned to his civilian life.