FLEMING, Percival James Marshal
| Service Numbers: | 49, 2835 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 5 August 1915, Place of enlistment - Claremont, Tasmania |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | 15th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Tunbridge, Tasmania, Australia, 29 December 1878 |
| Home Town: | Deloraine, Meander Valley, Tasmania |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Clerk |
| Memorials: | Ballarat Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial, Deloraine District Roll of Honour, Deloraine War Memorial |
Boer War Service
| 1 Oct 1899: | Involvement Trooper, 49, 1st Tasmanian Imperial Bushmen | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan 1900: | Involvement Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Trooper, 49, 1st Tasmanian Imperial Bushmen |
World War 1 Service
| 5 Aug 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2835, 26th Infantry Battalion, Place of enlistment - Claremont, Tasmania | |
|---|---|---|
| 27 Oct 1915: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 2835, 26th Infantry Battalion, Embarked on HMAT 'A38' Ulysses from Melbourne on 27th October 1915, disembarking in Egypt on 29th November 1915. | |
| 7 Mar 1916: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 15th Infantry Battalion | |
| 5 Apr 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Corporal, 15th Infantry Battalion | |
| 8 Aug 1916: | Honoured Military Medal, "This N.C.O., was especially noticed for his gallant conduct in the successful attack on the enemy trenches North West of Pozieres on night of 8th/9th August 1916, when he assisted his platoon Commander in the taking of a portion of enemy defences and captured 24 prisoners and throughout showed an entire disregard for danger and displayed a praiseworthy sense of devotion to duty." Mention in Despatches - "Has served with this Battalion throughout the operations in FRANCE from 7th June 1916 to 14th February 1917 and has been conspicuous for his consistent good work in and out of the Line and for the keen interest he takes in the welfare of his men. At POZIERES on night of 8th/9th. August 1916 in our attack on enemy trench, he had a great share in work that resulted in capture of 25 Germans. In action he shows a coolness and determination that is a splendid example to his men." | |
| 27 Sep 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Sergeant, 15th Infantry Battalion, Had been promoted to Temporary Sergeant on 18th August 1916, but this rank was relinquished on 12th September 1916. | |
| 11 Apr 1917: | Imprisoned Bullecourt (First), Captured at Reincourt and interned at Limburg, Germany, escaping in October 1918. | |
| 5 Mar 1919: | Embarked AIF WW1, Sergeant, 2835, 15th Infantry Battalion, Disembarked on Nevasa from England on 5th March 1919, disembarking at Adelaide for Hobart on 18th April 1919. | |
| 21 Jun 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Sergeant, 2835, 15th Infantry Battalion |
Help us honour Percival James Marshal Fleming's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Grace Clark
"...2835 Private Percy James Fleming, 15th Battalion, from Deloraine, Tasmania. Pte Fleming enlisted at the age of 37 on 5 August 1915 and embarked for overseas with the 26th Battalion, on 27 October 1915 aboard HMAT Ulysses. He was married with five children, all under the age of 16 at the time of his enlistment. After service at Gallipoli, he went on to serve on the Western Front where he received special mention in Sir Douglas Haig's Dispatch of 9 April 1917 for consistent good work and the keen interest taken in the welfare of his men. At Pozieres, France, on the night of 8/9 August 1916 in an attack on the enemy trench he had a great share in the work that resulted in the capture of 25 Germans. He was captured at Riencourt, France on 11 April 1917 and held as a POW in various camps in Germany until he escaped on 3 October 1918. After arriving in England he was awarded a Military Medal (MM) for gallant conduct and determination in escaping from captivity. ...also service in the Boer War, where he was a member of the Third (First Tasmanian Imperial) Contingent. Pte Fleming arrived back in Australia on 18 April 1919..." - SOURCE (www.awm.gov.au)
Biography contributed by Faithe Jones
Mr .P. J. Fleming, or Deloraine, who enlisted in the 1st Imperial Bushmen's Contingent for the South African War, was commended for specially good work. After serving with that coningent and returning home he went back to South Africa and served a further term with the 2nd Imperial Bushmen, and was twice wounded. He enlisted in 1915 for the Great War and served with the 15th Battalion, went through all the Somme battles, was taken prisoner in the first attack in the Hindenburg Line at Bullecourt in 1917. While a prisoner of war he was appointed British representative in the Fredricksfeld camp, and was responsible for all prisoners of war receiving their parcels from the Australian Red Cross. He was mentioned in the Commonwealth Gazette for special good work for prisoners of war. He was awarded the M.M. and was also mentioned in despatches.
Biography contributed by Faithe Jones
Wounded at Rietfontein
Click images to start slideshow.