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James Joseph - Information

James Joseph was born in Campbelltown c1892. When the war started, he was living in Stanmore with his wife, Mary, working as a storeman. At the age of 22, James joined the AIF at Liverpool Depot on the 4th of January 1915.

James then departed Sydney on the HMAT Argyllshire on the 10th of April 1915 for war service. He arrived in Egypt, before joining the 1st Battalion at Gallipoli on the 26th of May. Arriving at Anzac Cove and seeing the new little village carved into the coastline would have been some sight. James and his mates got used to life in the trenches with the heat, lice, and flies, while attempting to break the stalemate. The 1st Battalion then participated in the August Offensive in attacks at Lone Pine. Between the 6th and 9th of August, James’ left forearm was wounded by a gully bomb. He was admitted to hospital in Heliopolis and rejoined his unit in November. After the Gallipoli Campaign ended, James was shipped back to Egypt and was transferred to the 53rd Battalion at Tel-el-Kebir. After training with his new unit, they were transported to the Western Front in June 1916. James then participated in operations during the bloody Battle of Fromelles on the 19th of July. During this attack, James was wounded in action a second time, receiving a gun shot wound to his chest. Treated in Boulogne, he was then evacuated to England on the 1st of August to the 3rd Southern General Hospital in Bristol. His chest wound was serious, and he was consequently invalided to Australia on the 17th of October 1916 for a medical discharge. After James recovered, he returned to Mary in Stanmore.