James McCRACKEN

Regimental number5739
Place of birthDonegal, Ireland
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationLabourer
AddressMelbourne, Victoria
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation23
Height5' 6.25"
Weight126 lbs
Next of kinBrother, Mr T McCracken, Linsford, Buncrana, Ireland
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date10 February 1916
Place of enlistmentMelbourne, Victoria
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name5th Battalion, 17th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/22/3
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A14 Euripides on 4 April 1916
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll5th Battalion
FateReturned to Australia 19 February 1919
Discharge date22 May 1919
Other details

War service: Egypt, Western Front

Marched into 2nd Training Bn, Tel-el-Kebir, 11 May 1916.

Embarked Alexandria on HMT 'Tunisian' and proceeded to join the British Expeditionary Force, 28 May 1916; disembarked Marseilles, 4 June 1916; marched into 1st Divisional Base Depot, Etaples, 7 June 1916; taken on strength of 5th Bn, 30 July 1916.

Admitted to 15th Field Ambulance, 19 December 1916; transferred to 38th Casualty Clearing Station, 3 January 1917 (trench feet); to 6th General Hospital, Rouen, 6 January 1917. Embarked Rouen on HS 'St. David', 15 January 1917; admitted to Beaufort War Hospital, Bristol, 16 January 1917; discharged on furlough, 20 March 1917. Marched into No 1 Command Depot, Perham Downs, 5 April 1917; moved out from base depot, 12 April 1917; marched into No 3 Command Depot, Hurdcott, 13 April 1917; moved out from base depot, 6 July 1917; marched into Overseas Training Depot, Deverill, 7 July 1917.

Proceeded to France through Southampton, 26 July 1917; marched into 1st Australian Divisional Base Depot, Havre, 27 July 1917; moved out from base depot, 15 August 1917; rejoined unit in the field, 18 August 1917.

Admitted to 3rd Australian Field Ambulance, 3 October 1917, and transferred to 10th Casualty Clearing Station (shrapnel wound, head); transferred to Ambulance Train '8', 3 October 1917; admitted to 18th General Hospital, Camiers, 4 October 1917; transferred to No 6 Convalescent Depot, Etaples, 8 October 1917; to No 5 Convalescent Depot, Cayeux, 11 October 1917; discharged to duty, 28 October 1917; marched into 1st Australian Divisional Base Depot, Havre, 29 October 1917; rejoined unit in the field, 6 November 1917; proceeded on leave to England,25 February 1918; rejoined unit from leave, 15 March 1918; detached for duty with APM, 25 April 1918; rejoined unit from detachment, 19 May 1918.

Admitted to 15th Australian Field Ambulance, 10 August 1918, and transferred to Casualty Clearing Station (gun shot wound, right arm); to 18th United States General Hospital, Camiers, 11 August 1918. Embarked Camiers on HS 'Brighton' and proceeded to England, 13 August 1918; admitted to Fort Pitt Military Hospital, Chatham, 13 August 1918; transferred to 3rd Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford, 19 August 1918; discharged on furlough, 20 August 1918. Marched into No 4 Command Depot, Hurdcott, 9 September 1918; marched into Overseas Training Brigade, Deverill, 3 October 1918; marched into 1st Signals Brigade, 11 October 1918.

Found guilty at Sutton Veny, 10 January 1919, of being absent without leave, 12.01 am, 8 January, to 9.30 pm, 8 January 1919: award dismissed by Captain McElwes; marched into 2nd Training Brigade, 15 January 1919.

Embarked Liverpool on HT 'Orca' and commenced return to Australia, 19 February 1919; disembarked Melbourne, 7 April 1919. Discharged Melbourne, 22 May 1919.

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal
SourcesNAA: B2455, McCRACKEN James