Military History

Embarked Sydney per HMAT ‘Medic’ A7 for England via Nova Scotia 1.8.1917. Then embarked at Halifax per SS ‘Orita’ for England
Roll Rank Private.
Roll Unit 16th Infantry Battalion 26th Reinforcements.
James disembarked at Liverpool 3.10.1917 and marched in to the 3rd Training Battalion at Codford 3.10.1917. James transferred to the 13th Training Battalion at Codford 3.11.1917. He proceeded overseas to France via Southampton 16.1.1918. James marched in to the Army Infantry Brigade Depot at Havre 17.1.1918 and then marched out to his Unit 19.1.1918. James was taken on strength with his Unit in the Field 26.1.1918. The 16th Battalion fought in the Somme Valley and at Arras, Ancre and Albert in 1918. James was transferred to Liaison Officer with his Unit and then promoted to Divisional Liaison for the Battalion. 19.11.1918. On demobilization, he joined his detachment and marched out to England 9.5.1919. He marched into No. 4 Group 10.5.1919 and embarked for Australia.
Embarked England per HT ‘City of Exeter’ for return to Australia 15.7.1919.
Returned/Disembarked Fremantle 16.8.1919.
Discharged 4.5.1920.
Final Rank Private 16th Battalion Australian Imperial Force (AIF).
Medical Condition NK.
Awards and Medals British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Notes Not included in AWM site
Mrs. Oswald James was recorded as living in Helena St. East Guildford (West Australian Newspaper 1.5.1918 p1). however,  Military records show James as living in Waylen St Guildford.
Photos HMAT 'Medic' 1914. Photographer Hood, Samuel J. Photograph source AWM H19319
             Dernancourt, the Amiens-Albert railway, scene of battle in April 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E03794
             Railway Station at Albert 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph source  AWM H02112
             Troops arrive at Fremantle per 'City of Exeter' 16.8.1919. Photograph source Fremantle Library 

Information Source
AWM H19319. HMAT 'Medic' 1914. Photographer Hood, Samuel J. Photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collction of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E03794. Dernancourt, the Amiens-Albert railway, scene of battle in April 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM  H02112. Railway Station at Albert 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM Embarkation Rolls Oswald James
Fremantle Library. Troops arrive at Fremantle per 'City of Exeter' 16.8.1919. Photograph source Fremantle City Library
NAA: B2455, James Oswald
West Australian Newspaper
Wise H. and Coy. Western Australian Post Office Directories. SLWA

Waylen St. Guildford. WA.

Associated Images