| Regimental number | 6230 |
| Place of birth | Sandy Bay, Tasmania |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Occupation | Carpenter |
| Address | 7 Denison Street, South Hobart, Tasmania |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 24 |
| Height | 5' 6" |
| Weight | 140 lbs |
| Next of kin | Father, Mr J. Backhouse, 7 Denison Street, South Hobart, Tasmania |
| Previous military service | Nil (previously rejected for enlistment; grounds: 'Cause unknown') |
| Enlistment date | |
| Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll | |
| Place of enlistment | Hobart, Tasmania |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 12th Battalion, 20th Reinforcement |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/29/4 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A59 Botanist on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Private |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 12th Battalion |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Discharge date | |
| 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 death | |
| Age at death | 45 |
| Place of burial | Cornelian Bay Cemetery, Hobart, Tasmania |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, BACKHOUSE James Vernon |