JAMES, Cecil Holman (1891-1965)
JAMES, Cecil Holman (1891-1965)
Born at Alexandra, Victoria on 25 August 1891, Cecil Holman James was the son of Captain George Henry James (later Major James) and Elizabeth Britomart nee James.
He was enrolled to board at Geelong College in 1906. His address at entry was Longmore St, Middle Park, Melbourne. According to his attestation papers he spent three years in the Junior Cadets, and four years in the Senior Cadets at Geelong College.
James served with 56th Infantry Battalion (Militia) before he enlisted in the AIF on 23 April 1915, his attestation papers listed his trade as ‘motor expert and aviator,' he embarked on HMAT A40 Ceramic as 2nd Lieutenant on 25 June with the 5th Battalion (6th Reinforcements).
Wounded on Gallipoli in August, suffering shell shock, a gunshot wound to the head, and a hernia, he was evacuated to England on HS St Andrew on 13 December 1915 from Mudros. He was medically boarded fit in England in May 1916 and joined the Royal Flying Corps on 29 July. Promoted Flying Officer on 11 January 1917, he served with 68th Squadron, and acted as a flying instructor in England, at the School of Aerial Gunnery, Turnberry. He embarked for Australia on 11 January 1918 on HMT Euripides, arriving there on 29 April, then re-enlisted for the voyage only as Adjutant on HMT Borda (42nd Convoy), embarking Sydney on 6 July.
Cecil Holman James died on 22 January 1965.
His brother, George Ronald James (1893-1951) was also educated at Geelong College.
Born at Alexandra, Victoria on 25 August 1891, Cecil Holman James was the son of Captain George Henry James (later Major James) and Elizabeth Britomart nee James.
He was enrolled to board at Geelong College in 1906. His address at entry was Longmore St, Middle Park, Melbourne. According to his attestation papers he spent three years in the Junior Cadets, and four years in the Senior Cadets at Geelong College.
James served with 56th Infantry Battalion (Militia) before he enlisted in the AIF on 23 April 1915, his attestation papers listed his trade as ‘motor expert and aviator,' he embarked on HMAT A40 Ceramic as 2nd Lieutenant on 25 June with the 5th Battalion (6th Reinforcements).
Wounded on Gallipoli in August, suffering shell shock, a gunshot wound to the head, and a hernia, he was evacuated to England on HS St Andrew on 13 December 1915 from Mudros. He was medically boarded fit in England in May 1916 and joined the Royal Flying Corps on 29 July. Promoted Flying Officer on 11 January 1917, he served with 68th Squadron, and acted as a flying instructor in England, at the School of Aerial Gunnery, Turnberry. He embarked for Australia on 11 January 1918 on HMT Euripides, arriving there on 29 April, then re-enlisted for the voyage only as Adjutant on HMT Borda (42nd Convoy), embarking Sydney on 6 July.
Cecil Holman James died on 22 January 1965.
His brother, George Ronald James (1893-1951) was also educated at Geelong College.
Source
Based on an edited extract from Geelong Collegians at the Great War compiled by James Affleck. p 224 (citing Pegasus; National Archives).