Volunteers of Essendon and Flemington, 1914-1918

Anderson-J-G-Driver-2204

Before the War

In the Middle East, 1914-1916

England 1916

England and France 1917

Letter to Elsie, 1917

Jim is wounded, 1918

Jim's wallet

Jim's Paybook

Soldier settler

Below is Jim's wallet and some of the contents, pierced by a piece of shrapnel which continued on to strike Jim in the neck, and fracture his jaw in July 1918.  This marked the end of Jim's active service as he was evacuated back to England for treatment.  He returned to Australia on  9 Dec 1918 on Special Leave granted to men who had enlisted in 1914.  Images on this page are courtesy of Jim's son Don Anderson.

Jim's wallet showing the shrapnel hole. Courtesy of Jim's son Don Anderson.

The wallet contained what was described as a two inch thick collection of letters and photographs, some of which are presented below, complete with the shrapnel hole.

Inside the notebook, Jim recorded details of his address,  next of kin and dates of ports of call on his voyage to the Middle East.

This photo was probably taken in mid-1917, as discussed elsewhere and holed by the shrapnel.

Horses and waggons lined up for inspection at Windmill Hill.

Inspection of horses and wagons at Windmill Hill.

"ASC Football Team, England 1917-18". Taken by Reynolds of Sutton Veny.  Jim is not in the team, but

may have known someone who was.

A note Jim kept in his wallet relating to the deaths and burial of men in France.  It was folded twice, and the shrapnel created four holes as it passed through the double thickness.   See also discussion on this paper here.

Another twice-folded  note in Jim's wallet relating to his promotion to Sergeant showing shrapnel damage. 

The first time James was injured and spent time in hospital, in 1916.  This photo must also

have been in Jim's wallet, having been pierced by shrapnel.  This photo was discussed here

Elsie and Margaret, circa 1917. A note on the back of the copy of this photo reads:

"This was the photo that was in Dad's wallet when he was wounded in France by a German

bomb. It also killed six horses so he was lucky to survive."  Elsie was shot clear through the chest!