Devitt, James
SURNAME
Devitt
NAME
James
PLACE OF BIRTH
London, England
OCCUPATION
Salesman
PLACE OF ENLISTMENT
Sydney, NSW
DATE OF ENLISTMENT
10/4/1916
NEXT OF KIN
(sister) Mrs. Lilly Spon, 'Sunnyside' South Mossman, QLD
LINK TO DOUGLAS SHIRE
Sister in Mossman QLD
REGIMENT 1
33rd Battalion, 4th Reinforcement.
RANK
Private
CAMPAIGN 1
Western Front
KILLED IN ACTION
22/4/1918
OTHER INFORMATION
33rd Battalion, 4th Reinforcement. British War Medal No.49294; Victory Medal No.48695: Memorial Plaque No.343712
STORY OUTLINE
James Devitt embarked at Sydney on HMAT Borda A30 on 17/10/1916 and disembarked at Plymouth England on 9/1/1917, marched in to the 9th Training Battalion at Durrington England and taken on strength for the 33rd Battalion in Etaples France. James received a wound to the left hand and was transferred to 1st London General Hospital at Camberwell, London. He rejoined his battalion at Rouelles France on 30/12/1917, was gassed and admitted to 8th General Hospital at Rouen France in April 1918. He died on 22 April.
James was buried at Boisguilleume Communal Cemetery Extension (Row C, Grave No 25B), Rouen France. An interesting post-script: during 1921 the AIF Base Records Office wrote to his sister Mrs Spon in Mossman prior to issuing his war medals as to whether there was a closer relative. They were advised that an elder sister was alive and a naturalised French citizen living in France, but Mrs Spon was adamant that it would be an insult to James' memory if her sister was preferred recipient. His British War Medal and Memorial Plaque was issued to Mrs Spon but she died before receipt and were collected by her husband Edward Spon, Mossman. When Mr Spon was requested to return the items for re-addressing to the French sister he replied that he had lost the Plaque, and confirmed by the local police officer, and then could not be contacted thereafter since he had removed to England shortly after.
SERVICE NO
2300
