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The Military Career of Sidney Ernest James
Sidney James enlisted in Australia on the 29th August 1914 into the Divisional Ammunition Column Section 1, and then transfered to the 2nd Field Artillery Brigade, 4th (Field) Battery on the 6th Sept 1915. He left the shores of Australia aboard the HMAT A8 Argyllshire on the 18th October 1914, (note that this was the same date and vessel that Ralph departed overseas on), and landed on the shores of the Gallipoli Peninsular on his 21st birthday.
Military Career – Locations, Battles and Engagements
Aug - Oct 1914  
Sydney, Australia training.  
Oct 1914 - Dec 1914  
Sailing from Australia to Egypt per the "Argyllshire".
Dec 1914 - March 1914  
Training at Mena Camp, Egypt.  
April 1914 - Dec 1915  
Fighting at Gallipoli, Turkey.  
Battles and Engagements: Defence of the Suez Canal, Defence of Anzac, Defeat of the counter attack at Anzac, Sari Bair, Withdrawal from Anzac.
Jan 1915 - March 1916  
Back to Alexandra Egypt per the "Novia".
March 1916 - Jan 1918  
Fighting in the Western Front to include France and Belgium (Flanders).
Battles and Engagements: Pozieres including the fighting for Moquet Farm, Capture of Thilloys, German attack on Lagnicourt, Advance to the Hindenburg Line, Bullencourt, Menin Road, Polygon Wood, Broodeseinde, Poelcappelle, Passchendaele.
Jan 1918 – (Sept?) 1918  
Training at Officers School, London, England.
(Sept?) 1918 - Nov 1918  
Fighting in the Western Front, France (The Somme).
Battles and Engagements: Amiens, Albert including the capture of Chuignes, Epehy, Hindenburg Line.
Dec 1918 - March 1919  
London, England.  
March 1919 - May 1919  
Sailing from Southampton, England, via South Africa to Melbourne, Australia per the "Cluny Castle".
   
Promotions  
Aug 1914 - Nov 1914  
Driver  
Nov 1914 - March 1916  
Gunner  
March 1916 - Feb 1917  
Acting Bombardier  
Feb 1917 - April 1917  
Bombardier  
April 1916 - Aug 1917  
Corporal  
Aug 1917 - Sept 1918  
Sergeant  
Sept 1918 - Dec 1918  
2nd Lieutenant  
Dec 1918 - May 1919  
Lieutenant  
The information that is entered on these pages on the life of Sidney James have been a marvelous addition to Ralph's memorial information. And we are very proud to be able to place the story of Sid's military life here so that it can be read by all.
It has also been remarkable to me that we have been able to get this information together on two men that knew each other so long ago, but will never be forgotten.