Military History

Embarked Fremantle per ‘Port MacQuarie’ for England 14.10.1916.
Roll Rank Private.
Roll Unit 44th Infantry Bn. 4th Reinf. AIF.
Hamersley disembarked at Plymouth 12.12.1916 and marched in to the 11th Training Bn. After an intensive period of training, he proceeded overseas to France 5.4.1917. He was taken on strength with the 44th Bn 9.4.1917. The 44th Bn. fought at Messines in June 1917 (AWM 44th Bn. ) Hamersley was wounded in field with a GSW to his left thigh 9.6.1917. He was hospitalized and rejoined his unit 4.8.1917. Hamersley took leave in England 22.8.1918 and rejoined his unit 8.3.1918. The 44th Bn. fought in preparatory battles prior to the Battle at Hamel (AWM 44th Bn. ) Hamersley was wounded in this action (2nd time) with a GSW to his thigh 6.7.1918. His wound was treated in France. In October he returned to England and marched in to the No .2 Command Depot. He was listed for early return to Australia with a debility- DMU dicharged as militarily unfit. (Possibly neurasthenia)
Embarked in England for Australia per ‘Argyllshire’ 9.12.1918.
Returned/Disembarked 19.1.1919.
Discharged 22.7.1919.
Final Rank Private with 44th Battaionn AIF.
Medical Condition Invalided debility.
Awards and Medals British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Photo Western Mail 23.8.1918 p 1s
            HMAT 'Port Macquarie'. A.C. Green Collection. Image sourced and reproduced courtesy www.greatsoutherncards.com.au
            Only wall standing in Messines, in the Town Square 17.6.1918.  Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E01484
            Shelling of Hamel.  Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E02618
            HMAT 'Argyllshire' 1914-15. Postcard by Geyer Studio NSW, Photgraph source AWM P10581.002

Information Source
AWM  E01484. Only wall standing in Messines, in the Town Square 17.6.1918.  Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E02618. Shelling of Hamel.  Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM P10581.002. HMAT 'Argyllshire' 1914-15. Postcard by Geyer Studio NSW, Photgraph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM Embarkation Roll- James Forrest Hamersley
AWM 44th Battalion.
Great Southern Postcards. HMAT 'Port Macquarie'. A.C. Green Collection. Image sourced and reproduced courtesy www.greatsoutherncards.com.au
NAA: B2455, Hamersley J F
Western Mail


Walkaway. WA.

Associated Images