James Edward ABBEY

Regimental number3
Place of birthLondon, England
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationJoiner
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation23
Height5' 5.5"
Weight142 lbs
Next of kinMother, Mrs A Abbey, 62 Southpark Road, Wimbledon, England
Previous military serviceServed for 3 years in the Volunteer Ambulance of the Boys' Brigade, England.
Enlistment date17 April 1915
Place of enlistmentMelbourne, Victoria
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit nameConvalescent Depot, Harefield Park, London
AWM Embarkation Roll number26/84/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board RMS Mooltan on 18 May 1915
Rank from Nominal RollCorporal
Unit from Nominal Roll17th Battalion
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Military Medal


'Work at Passchendaele Ridge on 9 October 1917.'
Recommendation date: 14 October 1917

Bar to Military Medal


'Work at Mont St. Quentin on 31 August 1918.'
Recommendation date: 7 September 1918

FateReturned to Australia 2 January 1919
Medals

Military Medal

'In an AAMC detail attached to the battalion. His conspicuous devotion to duty and courage during attack on 9th October, 1917, on PASSCHENDAELE RIDGE were admirable. He displayed splendid coolness under very trying circumstances. Owing to a lack of proper accommodation it was continually necessary for him to dress cases in the open under shell fire, and after the Battalion was relieved he remained at the R.A.P. for 36 hours with wounded who were unable to be moved and finally assisted personally in carrying these cases to the relay post under heavy shell fire.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 76
Date: 23 May 1918

Bar to Military Medal

'During the attack on MONT ST. QUENTIN, near PERONNE, on 31st August 1918, this A.M.C. N.C.O. worked incessantly, tending the wounded under shell fire for 7 hours, when he was severely wounded in the arm. He refused to be evacuated, and worked on with the same devotion to duty, which has always characterised his work, for a further 5 hours, only consenting to leave, when he was certain that his services were no longer required.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No 31
Date: 3 July 1918

Discharge date16 April 1919
Other details

War service: Egypt, Western Front

Promoted Corporal, 5 October 1915.

Admitted to 1st Australian Dermatological Hospital, Bulford, 29 February 1916; discharged, 19 July 1916; total period of treatment for venereal disease: 142 days.

Admitted to 1st Australian Dermatological Hospital, Bulford, 24 July 1916; discharged, 26 December 1916; total period of treatment for venereal disease: 156 days.

Proceeded overseas to France, 25 January 1917.

Taken on strength, 5th Field Ambulance, 8 April 1917; 17th Bn, 17 February 1918.

Wounded in action, 31 August 1918 (gun shot wound, right arm); admitted to 61st Casualty Clearing Station, 1 September 1918; transferred to 9th General Hospital, Rouen, 2 September 1918; to England, 3 September 1918, and admitted to The Lord Derby War Hospital, Warrington, 4 September 1918; discharged on furlough, 9 October 1918, to report to No 4 Command Depot, Hurdcott, 23 October 1918.

Marched in to Overseas Training Brigade, Longbridge Deverill, 16 November 1918.

Marched out to Reserve Brigade Australian Artillery, Heytesbury, 9 December 1918.

Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Berrima', 2 January 1919; disembarked Melbourne, 17 February 1919, for onward travel to Sydney; discharged (termination of period of enlistment), Sydney, 16 April 1919.

Medals: Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
SourcesNAA: B2455, ABBEY James Edward