James Michael
Name: James Michael
Rank: Sergeant
Service Number: 2072
Unit Served: 32nd Battalion
Personal Details: James was born in Striling North, near Port Augusta, South Australia in 1884. His name is on memorials at Port Augusta, Clare and Hilltown, which is near Clare. He was married to Louisa Anne Michael and they were living in Highbury East at the time he enlisted at the age of 31. He was 5'5 1/2" tall, with a fair complexion, brown hair and brown eyes and he weighed 135 lbs.
Military Service: James enlisted on the 23rd September, 1915 and was assigned to 3rd Reinforcement of the 32nd Battalion. He left Adelaide aboard the "Militiades" on the 7th February, 1916 and arrived at Suez on the 11th March. He was taken on strength by the 32nd Battalion on the 1st April 1916 at Duntroon Plateau. He left Alexandria aboard the "Transylvania" on the 17th June and disembarked at Marseilles on the 23rd. He would have been involved in the disastrous attack at Fromelles on the 19th July, but it appears he was one of the lucky ones from his battalion to have got through it unscathed. On the 28th August he was promoted to Lance Corporal, and then to Temporary Corporal on 3rd September. Due to the large numbers of offficers and other ranks missing after Fromelles, James was quickly promoted yet again, this time to Sergeant on the 20th October. The winter of 1916 -17 was one of the most harsh in 40 years and the time in the trenches during the latter months of 1916 took its toll on James who was taken ill with Bronchitis on the 6th December. Despite being taken to hospital, James succumbed to his disease on the 13th December.
Date of Death: 13th December 1916
Age at Death: 32
Cemetery Details: Etaples Military Cemetery Plot XX Row G Grave 6
