Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

From Gary Mitchell, Sandgate Cemetery
 
100 years ago today, on the 18th June 1918, Private James Aloysius Curtin, 5th Australian Pioneer Battalion, butcher from 42 Ridge Street, Merewether, New South Wales, was killed in action, age 27 years, 5 months.

Born at Merewether, New South Wales on the 5th January 1891 (as CURTAIN) to Daniel (died 1904) and Margaret (died 1919) Curtin, James enlisted July 1915 with the 30th Battalion at Liverpool, N.S.W.

James is resting at Ribemont Communal Cemetery Extension, France. Plot III Row F Grave 1.

His name has been inscribed on the Merewether (Mitchell Park) Memorial Gates (as CURTAIN).

There is no headstone at Sandgate Cemetery for James’s parents, so I have placed a memorial cross adorned with poppies on the gravesite, taken a photo of the memorialised grave and uploaded the photo onto the Northern Cemetery website as a permanent record of his service. CATHOLIC 1-01. 25.

Photo of the Merewether (Mitchell Park) Memorial Gates taken by Ken Shilling, available from “Remembrance” CD, at the Newcastle Family History Society.

Lest We Forget.

From Chisholm, Discovering Anzacs
Posted 19 February 2015

Pte James Curtin Service No. 376

James Curtin was born in Merewether in 1891 to Daniel and Margaret Curtin of 40 Ridge Street Merewether. He had at least three sisters Julia, Margaret and Nance and two brothers. James was employed as a butcher and was 24 years of age when he enlisted on 18 July 1915 in B Company 30th Battalion.

The 30th Battalion was raised as part of the 8th Brigade at Liverpool in New South Wales on 5 August 1915. Most of its recruits hailed from the Newcastle region and other parts of country NSW. (1)

James Curtin was embarked on HMAT Beltana which arrived at the Suez on 11 December 1915.

The 8th Brigade joined the newly raised 5th Australian Division in Egypt and proceeded to France, destined for the Western Front, in June 1916. The 30th Battalion's first major battle was at Fromelles on 19 July 1916. (1) In his service records it is noted that James Curtin forfeited some of his wages for being absent without leave in August 1916 and was sent to the Hospital sick with bronchitis and influenza in October 1916. He re-joined his unit from Hospital in November 1916.

He scalded his foot in March 1917 and was admitted to Hospital in Boulogne for quite some time. He again forfeited wages when he was absent without leave on Christmas Day 1917.

James was killed in action in France on 18 June 1918. According to correspondence in the National Archives services records James Curtin’s mate J.E. Greenhalgh fixed a wooden fence around the grave where he was buried at Heilly No. 2 cemetery. James’ remains were later removed to the cemetery at Ribemont. (2)

He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British Medal and the Victory Medal.

Following is an extract from some of the correspondence his sister Julia wrote to the commanding officer in order to gain her rightful possession of the medals.

“In reply to yours of Dec 21st, re the disposal of the 1914/15 Star, British medal and Victory medal to be issued on account of the service of our late brother No. 376 private James Curtin 5th Pioneers. My position is this, our father has been deceased for 17 years and mother only since last November 9th 1919. When you understand that I assisted to keep a home, clothe and educate my youngest brother the said deceased soldier until he was able to work and keep himself. My eldest brother married early in life and of course naturally has other interests of his own. I am left in this old house with one other brother and our youngest sister and I can assure you that we will appreciate the Star or any other badge that comes to us through a young life....and to use his own words dutifully given on the battlefield”
(1) Australian War Museum
(2) Service Records page 63