DOD

James was born in Bacchus Marsh, VIC in 1892 to Adolf Johansen and Matilda Gulliver. Matilda died in 1892 and Adolf married Margaret McDermott in 1901. James had a brother, John, who is also remembered in the Avenue and a stepbrother, William McDermott, who is listed on the Shire of Bacchus Marsh Roll of Honour, held by the RSL at Bacchus Marsh.

James was a labourer in Bacchus Marsh when he enlisted in the AIF, 12^th Reinforcements, 6^th Battalion on the 26^th of June 1915, aged almost 23. He embarked aboard the HMAT A40 Ceramic in late November, disembarking in Egypt some time later. After a week in hospital with a kidney problem he joined the 6^th Battalion. In March he was again in hospital with mumps for two weeks before he embarked from Alexandria, Egypt, disembarking at Marseilles, France at the start of April 1916.

James suffered a gunshot wound to the thigh in May 1916 but rejoined his unit a month later. In July he was again wounded - a shell concussion - and admitted to hospital in Rouen, France - it was two months before he rejoined his unit. James was diagnosed with trench foot in February 1917 and transferred to England. He was discharged from hospital in early May and had two weeks furlough before rejoining his unit in the field in mid August.

In February 1918 James was admitted to a Casualty Clearing Station with frostbite. He was then admitted to the Liverpool Merchant's Mobile Hospital, Etaples, France, but died of meningitis⁽¹⁾ on the 24^th of February 1918.

... admitted 13th Feb suffering from General Tuberculosis and was almost unconscious from the time of his admission till his death …

Source: O.C. Liverpool Merchant's Mobile Hospital

James was buried on the 28^th of February at Etaples Military Cemetery, France.

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

Notes

1. The Bacchus Marsh Express 9 Mar 1918