Springfield, Gilgandra, NSW
4847
13th Battalion, 15th Reinforcement
Gilgandra NSW
Returned to Australia 16.7.1918
Lance Corporal James Maher 4847
James was an 18 year old farmer with his father, John on ‘Springfield’ Gilgandra NSW when he enlisted with the Coo-ees. The Medical examination was completed at Dubbo and described him as 5’ 7” tall, 136lbs (61kgs), medium complexion, grey eyes and dark brown hair and no distinctive marks. He was Roman Catholic. He was a member of the Gilgandra Rifle Club.
James and most of the Coo-ees trained at Liverpool as reinforcemant for the 13th Battalion. They then embarked for Egypt on the Star of England on 8 March 1916. After training in Egypt, James transferred to the 45th Battalion, arriving in France at the Western Front in June 1916 to face Pozieres and Mouquet Farm as part of The Battle of the Somme in August 1916. James was wounded in action and admitted to hospital in February 1917 with a severe gunshot wound to the chest and ankle.
James was transferred through the Casualty Clearing Station in the field, the 36th General Hospital in Etaples, the Military Hospital in Chatham, England, then to Harefield Hospital where William Hitchen had died in 1916. James returned to Australia on the hospital ship Kanowna December 16 1917 and was discharged on July 10, 1918.
He never married and lived with his sister, Sarah and mother Georgina in Auburn, Sydney until his death on 25 March 1957 aged 59 years. James is buried Rookwood Cemetery.
He received the Victory Medal and the British War Medal and is commemorated on the Coo-ee Memorial Gate Gilgandra.
Photo courtesy L Leo