The AIF Project

James McKAY

Regimental number139
Place of birthBelfast, Co Antrim, Ireland
ReligionPresbyterian
OccupationLabourer
AddressStroud Street, Franklin, Alberton, South Australia
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation26
Height5' 8.25"
Weight132 lbs
Next of kinFriend, Miss Ruth James, 41 Victoria Street, West Brunswick, Melbourne, Victoria
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date10 January 1916
Place of enlistmentAdelaide, South Australia
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name43rd Battalion, A Company
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/60/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A19 Afric on 9 June 1916
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll43rd Battalion
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Military Medal


Recommendation date: 9 October 1918

FateReturned to Australia 10 April 1919
Medals

Military Medal

'On 29th September, 1918, during operations South of BONY, when his Platoon was held up by intense enemy machine gun fire Lance Corporal McKAY worked up a trench towards the enemy and selected a position from which he could enfilade the enemy trench with his Lewis Gun. This he succeeded in doing and caused so many casualties to the enemy that his Platoon was able to advance and occupy an important position.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 115
Date: 10 October 1919

Discharge date11 July 1919
Other details

War service: Western Front

Embarked Adelaide on HMAT 'Afric', 9 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, 20 July 1916.

Found guilty in England, 24 October 1916, of being absent wthout leave, 12.00 am, 20 October, to 10.30 pm, 22 October 1916: awarded 14 days' confinement to barracks; forfeited total of 2 days' pay. Proceeded to France through Southampton, 25 November 1916; on leave to England, 8 January 1918; rejoined 43rd Bn in the field, 22 January 1918.

Admitted to 10th Australian Field Ambulance, 30 January 1918, and transferred to 2nd Australian Casualty Clearing Station (injury to knee); to Ambulance Train '20', 31 January 1918, and admitted to 55th General Hospital, Boulogne; transferred to 12th Convalescent Depot, Aulengue, 6 February 1918; to 55th General Hospital, 23 February 1918 (operation on knee); to No 1 Convalescent Depot, 13 March 1918; discharged to duty, 28 March 1918; marched into Australian Infantry Base Depot, Havre, 1 April 1918; marched out to unit, 8 April 1918; rejoined unit in the field, 10 April 1918.

Appointed Lance Corporal, 22 August 1918.

Admitted to 11th Australian Field Ambulance, 30 September 1918, and transferred to 50th Casualty Clearing Station (gun shot wound, hands); to Ambulance Train '19', 1 October 1918; admitted to 74th General Hospital, 2 October 1918. Proceeded to England for further treatment on HS 'Essequibo', 25 October 1918; admitted to 2nd Southern General Hospital, Bristol, 26 October 1918; transferred to 3rd Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford, 27 November 1918; discharged on furlough, 3 January 1919.

Found guilty at London, 3 February 1919, of being absent without leave, 10.00 am, 3 January, to 12.00 pm, 2 February 1919: awarded 28 days' detention; forfeited total of 59 days' pay; admitted to Lewes Detention Barracks, 5 February 1919; released from detention on remittance of sentence, 26 February 1919; marched into Longbridge Overseas Training Brigade, Deverill, 6 March 1919; marched out to No 2 Command Depot, Weymouth, 31 March 1919. Commenced return to Australia on HT 'Medic', 10 April 1919; disembarked Adelaide, 26 May 1919.

Awarded the Military Medal, 17 June 1919. Army Form W.3121 reads, 'On 29th September 1918, during operations South of BONY, when his platoon was held up by intense enemy machine gun fire Lance Corporal McKay worked up a trench towards the enemy and selected a position from which he could enfilade the enemy trench with his Lewis Gun. This he succeeded in doing and caused so many casualties to the enemy that his platoon was able to advance and occupy an important position'. Discharged as being medically unfit for continued service, Adelaide, 11 July 1919.

Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal
SourcesNAA: B2455, McKAY James

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