Lance Corporal James Daniel Connell

See Notes (1) (2) (3)

James was born in Bacchus Marsh, VIC, in 1895 to John Connell and Mary Allan. James had a brother, William, who is also remembered in the Avenue.

James was a school teacher and lived in Bacchus Marsh, VIC, when he enlisted in the AIF, 13^th Light Horse Regiment, on the 24^th of February 1915, aged not quite 20. He had previously served three years in the Cadets and 18 months in the Citizens Forces. At the end of May, James embarked aboard the HMAT A34 Persic, disembarking in Egypt at the end of June.

James landed at Gallipoli in September 1915 and was deployed without a horse - the Light Horse being considered unsuitable for the conditions. He most probably manned the trenches at Lone Pine before departing Gallipoli in December, returning to Egypt in January 1916. He became part of the 4^th Divisional Cavalry before disembarking at Marseilles, France in June.

In July 1916 the Divisional cavalry units were reunited as the 13^th Light Horse as part of the 1^st ANZAC Mounted Troops. James was promoted to Lance Corporal in March 1917. A year later he was transferred to the 24^th Battalion. In April 1918 James received a gunshot wound to left knee and was invalided back to England.

James embarked for Australia aboard the Berrima in January 1919, arriving back in Australia in February. He was discharged from the AIF in April 1919.

James died in Fitzroy, VIC, in 1966, aged 70.

He is listed on the Shire of Bacchus Marsh Roll of Honour and the Bacchus Marsh & District Roll of Honour. He is also remembered in the Coimadai Avenue of Honour.

Notes

1. Service number was changed to 561A when he joined the 24^th Battalion.
2. He was promoted to Lance Corporal before he joined the 24^th Battalion.
3. He enlisted in the 13^th Light Horse which was reformed as the 1^st ANZAC Mounted Troops. In France he transferred to the 24^th Battalion.

Location of Tree Number N061

Tree Position (accuracy ±1 tree) -37.678997809200276, 144.45513076076645

Related Links

• Timeline
• Nominal Roll
• Embarkation Roll
• Service Records
• The Australian Light Horse
• 13^th Light Horse Regiment
• Unit Diaries - 13^th LHR
• 24^th Battalion
• Unit Diaries - 24^th Battalion

Last updated by lee, Sat, 28 Aug 2021 10:59:03