James CULLEN

CULLEN, James

Service Number: 2826
Enlisted: 5 April 1913
Last Rank: Able Seaman
Last Unit: HMAS AE2 (Submarine)
Born: Lang Lang, Vic., 24 May 1894
Home Town: St Kilda East, Port Phillip, Victoria
Schooling: Not yet discovered
Occupation: Not yet discovered
Died: Killed in earthquake, New Zealand, 1945
Cemetery: Not yet discovered
Memorials: Ballarat Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial
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World War 2 Service

5 Apr 1913: Enlisted Royal Australian Navy, Able Seaman, 2826
6 Aug 1920: Discharged Royal Australian Navy, Able Seaman, 2826

World War 1 Service

Date unknown: Involvement Stoker, 2826, HMAS AE2 (Submarine)

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Biography contributed by Faithe Jones

Prisoner of War in Turkey
He was held mainly at Belemedik Camp. As with several others Cullen contracted Malaria whilst Prisoner of War. He was later transferred to Kelebec where he met up with John Wheat and Private Samson with whom he made an escape on 29th April 1918. the escape attempt failed. After his release in late 1918 he was returned to England but was in hospital for several months.
He signed on for a further five year engagement on 1st January 1919 but appears to have changed his mind about further service and applied for discharged.
Free Discharge approved as a special case - Re-engaging gratutity to be refunded 06 August 1920 in Geelong, Vic.
Emigrated to New Zealand in the 1930's and was reported as being killed in an earthquake in 1945.

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