The AIF Project

James Vernon BACKHOUSE

Regimental number6230
Place of birthSandy Bay, Tasmania
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationCarpenter
Address7 Denison Street, South Hobart, Tasmania
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation24
Height5' 6"
Weight140 lbs
Next of kinFather, Mr J. Backhouse, 7 Denison Street, South Hobart, Tasmania
Previous military serviceNil (previously rejected for enlistment; grounds: 'Cause unknown')
Enlistment date3 May 1916
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll3 May 1916
Place of enlistmentHobart, Tasmania
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name12th Battalion, 20th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/29/4
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A59 Botanist on 24 August 1916
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll12th Battalion
FateReturned to Australia 25 November 1917
Discharge date9 April 1918
Other details

War service: Western Front

Embarked Melbourne, 24 August 1916; disembarked Devonport, England, 19 October 1916; marched into 3rd Training Bn, 10 December 1916.

Proceeded overseas to France, 16 July 1917; marched into 1st Australian Divisional Base Depot, Le Havre, 17 July 1917.

Proceeded to unit, 28 July 1917; taken on strength of 12th Bn, in the field, 4 August 1917.

Wounded in action, Belgium, 5 October 1917 (buried by shell; gunshot wound, left leg: severe); admitted to No 3 Australian Field Ambulance, 5 October 1917; transferred to No 41 Casualty Clearing Station, 5 October 1917; to No 6 General Hospital, Rouen, 7 October 1917; to England, 13 October 1917; to Temporary Hospital, Exeter, 14 October 1917; transferred to 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford, 1 November 1917 (fractured left leg: tibia and fibula); discharged to Command Depot, 24 November 1917.

Commenced return to Australia on board HS 'Karoola', 25 November 1917; disembarked Melbourne, 10 January 1918; discharged Hobart (medically unfit: fractured left leg), 9 April 1918.

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal
Date of death17 August 1937
Age at death45
Place of burialCornelian Bay Cemetery, Hobart, Tasmania
SourcesNAA: B2455, BACKHOUSE James Vernon

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