Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

James Garland, known as Jim, was born in May 1889 at St Stephens, Hull, Yorkshire UK, the 7th of 12 children born to his parents John and Ada Garland.  He had 3 older brothers…Alfred, twins Herbert and Harold and 1 older sister Elizabeth as well as 2 younger brothers…Arthur and Edward and 2 younger sisters…Ada and Freda.  Three other siblings died in infancy.  He served 3 years with the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) Territorials, a part-time component of the British Army.  Jim embarked for Australia from London on SS Beltana on 29th November 1912 and disembarked at Adelaide SA on 28th December 1912.  He lived at St Peters, an inner suburb of Adelaide and worked as a tram conductor. 

When WW1 broke out Jim was one of the first to enlist on 29th August 1914 at Morphettville Camp SA aged 25.  His service number was 124, his rank Private and he was assigned to the 3rd Field Ambulance B Section.  He’s described as being 5ft 7ins tall with a fresh complexion, brown eyes and brown hair.  He completed his training at Morphettville Camp and embarked from Adelaide on HMAT Medic on 20th October 1914, sailing from Fremantle on 2nd November 1914 as part of the 1st Convoy. 

Upon arrival in Egypt he proceeded to Mena Camp where he remained till 3rd March 1915 when he embarked from Alexandria on HMAT Malda.  The ship anchored in Mudros Bay off Lemnos Island 3 days later.  The troops remained on board the ship in the bay for a month in preparation for the  Gallipoli landings.  Captains Fry, Buchanan and McWhae, and 114 other ranks were transhipped to HMT Ionian then on 19th April they were transhipped to HMAT Suffolk and then later to HMAT Devanha which was anchored off shore of the Gallipoli Peninsula.  At 10.30pm on 24th April they were transhipped to the destroyer HMS Ribble from which they disembarked into 2 boats and were towed ashore at 5.00am, landing under heavy shrapnel and gun fire.  Several casualties occurred.  The Unit took shelter under the sand banks on the beach and it was some time before they were able to commence collecting the wounded and attend to their needs.  Later in the day they were able to move to a position below the Sphinx near Fisherman’s Hut where they remained for the rest of the day.  Casualties for their Unit for the first day were 2 killed, 18 wounded and 4 missing.

Jim was promoted to Lance Corporal on 1st August 1915 then appointed as Temporary Sergeant in mid-October 1915.  He remained on the peninsula for the remainder of the campaign and was evacuated with the troops on 16th December 1915 on HMT Caledonia and disembarked at Alexandria 4 days later.  He then proceeded to Tel-el-Kebir Camp and was promoted to Sergeant on 1st January 1916. 

Jim and whole of the 3FA embarked for France from Alexandria on 27th March 1916 on HMT Kingstonian and disembarked at Marseilles a week later.  On the voyage one of the men of his Unit was lost overboard whilst sleepwalking. 

In July 1916 the Unit participated at Pozieres then moved to Belgium in August.  While the unit was serving at the Corps Rest Station at Buire, France, on the 11th November 1916, an air raid on the station killed one of their men outright with another 2 subsequently dying from their wounds and 3 more were wounded and evacuated.  This excerpt from the Unit Diary describes the event: “At 00.40 this morning an enemy aeroplane flying low, dropped 6 bombs on the 1st Anzac Rest Station.  Five patients were killed outright, thirty three wounded more or less seriously and three slightly.  Of the personnel at this station one was killed, four seriously wounded and one slightly wounded.  All of these belonged to No. 3 Australian Field Ambulance.  One bomb was dropped on the Orderly Room, destroying a number of the records of the station and of the unit.  Damage was done to four marquee tents and eight bell tents.  The distinguishing lamps were burning brightly at the time the attack was made.” 

Jim was recommended for recognition of his service on the 9th September 1916 with the following: “For consistent good work during the period of 1/3/1916 to 1/9/16 and at all times in charge of stretcher bearers, whether removing wounded under fire or in his routine duties.  This NCO has always set a high example to his men of discipline and devotion to duty.”   However, no award was forthcoming.

Similarly, on the 4th March 1917 he was recommended for, but not awarded, a Mention in Despatches with the following: “Recommended 9.9.16 with no result.  Again recommended for consistent good work in the capacity of NCO in charge of bearers (when he at all times set a splendid example to his men by his coolness in action and devotion to duty) his organising abilities have been found extremely valuable in maintaining the efficiency of the unit.” 

Jim was promoted to Warrant Officer on 1st June 1917 and once again he was recommended for a Mention in Despatches on 24th September 1917 with the following: “From 17th September 1917 and during the 1st Australian Division offensive at Glencorse Wood, during which period this Field Ambulance was responsible for the forward evacuation, this NCO carried out the duty of detailing the personnel to be allotted to the various posts and for arranging the work at the ADS.  This task demanded the closest attention and continuous supervision and the qualities of tact and knowledge of his men, and their confidence in his fairness and judgement.  All these qualities were exhibited by Mr Garland in the highest degree.  He acquainted himself intimately beforehand with the route and conditions of the evacuation and of the requirements of the Dressing Station to cope with the large numbers of wounded.  His ingenuity and resource in improving the Dressing Station and his tact and ability and unremitting labour in utilizing to the utmost the personnel and material at his disposal, assisted materially the effective working of the scheme of evacuation, while his absolute disregard of danger and calm assurance and steadiness under all circumstances, set a standard which ensured a quality in the work of his men.  Recommended on 9.9.1916 and 4.3.1917 without result.”

This too was not awarded.  However, on 18th June 1918 Jim was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) with the following: “Strongly recommended for the period of 22.9.1917 to night of 24/25.2.1918.  This Warrant Officer displays an unflagging interest in his work.  He has the welfare of the unit at heart and by his never failing enthusiasm, he sets a very fine example to all ranks.  His career in the Ambulance has been an exceptionally fine one as he has risen from his original rank of Private to the position he now occupies.  His devotion to duty during the period under review has been largely instrumental in maintaining the efficiency of the unit.  He has previously been recommended on three separate occasions for meritorious service, 9.9.1916, 4.3.1917 and 24.9.1917.” 

On 11th November 1918 Jim was transferred to 10th Field Ambulance and promoted to Quartermaster and Honorary Lieutenant.  He took leave to Paris and the UK in late January 1919 and re-joined his unit in early March 1919 at Vismes-au-Val in northern France.  A month later he was granted Special 1914 Leave and proceeded to Codford Camp in England with Quota 29.  In  mid-May 1919 he was granted leave till mid-September 1919 to do a course in motor engineering.  After completing the course he proceeded to camp at Sutton Veny.  He embarked from England on HMS Macedonia on 31st October 1919 then was transferred to HMAT Medic at Bombay for the remainder of his voyage to Australia.  This was the same ship that he embarked on from Adelaide in 1914.  He disembarked at Adelaide on Christmas Eve 1919 and was discharged on 20th February 1920. 

Jim married Alma Mary Wiles at Sculcoates, Yorkshire UK in 1923.  They had no children.  Jim passed away in 1972 aged 83 at Hull, Yorkshire UK. 

James Garland was awarded for service in WW1 the 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal and the Anzac Commemorative Medallion.   

Respectfully submitted by Sue Smith 1st December 2022.