Pte
James Edward McGill
Information about birth
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Year of birth: 1899 |
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Place of birth: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
General information
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Last known residence: Ashfield, New South Wales, Australia |
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Profession: Clerk |
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Religion: Congregationalist |
Army information
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Country: Australia |
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Force: Australian Imperial Force |
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Rank: Private |
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Service number: 2934 |
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Enlistment date: 04/09/1916 |
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Enlistment place: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
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Units: — Australian Infantry, 58th Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 25/09/1917 |
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Place of death: Lijssenthoek, Remy Siding, No. 3 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Died of wounds (D.O.W.) |
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Age: 18 |
Cemetery
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Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery Plot: XXIII Row: C Grave: 18 |
Distinctions and medals 2
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British War Medal Medal |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 4
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Last known residence | ||
| #3 | Enlistment place | ||
| #4 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
Private James Edward McGill, only 17 of age, enlisted the 58th Battalion AIF, part of the 15th Brigade, 5th Australian Division, just before his 2 older brothers Alfred and Herbert McGill embarked for Europe.
The former clerck was born in Sydney and lived with brothers and sisters in Ashfield, NSW. Just before dawn on the 25th of September 1917 a tremendous concentration of German artillery fire fell across the right of the 15th Brigade sector and over the entire front of the 33rd British Division on its right.
This was followed between 5.30 a.m. and 6 a.m. with heavy infantry attacks in mass, by special storm troops of picked German divisions. Despite heavy casualties from the artillery preparation, the 58th Battalion stood firm. This was due largely to the fine heroism and determination of the front line men. Two platoons from the 58th Battalion’s front line had to be withdrawn to man the Battalion’s right flank, which became more and more exposed as the German penetrations on the front of the 33rd Division deepened.
During all this time, the bombardment of Glencorse Wood was terrific. Towards evening it became advisable to withdraw the badly shattered 58th Battalion to a position in close support.
Private James Edward McGill, was mortally wounded in action on this 25 September 1917, with multiple shrapnel wounds to the head and face, and died of wounds the same day in the 3rd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station. He was only born in 1899 and was probably not quite 18 years of age when he died. He is buried in the Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, plot XXIII, row C, grave 18. His older brother Alfred Eager McGill, of the 18th Battalion AIF, was severely wounded and survived 6 days in the 10th Casualty Clearing Station before he died on 26th September 1917.
By sheer chance, the two casualty stations the brothers died in are quite near one another, and the brothers are both buried in plot XXIII of the Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery. His other brother Herbert John McGill continued to serve in the 18th Battalion but was badly wounded later during 1918. He survived the war, returning home to Australia in December 1918
The former clerck was born in Sydney and lived with brothers and sisters in Ashfield, NSW. Just before dawn on the 25th of September 1917 a tremendous concentration of German artillery fire fell across the right of the 15th Brigade sector and over the entire front of the 33rd British Division on its right.
This was followed between 5.30 a.m. and 6 a.m. with heavy infantry attacks in mass, by special storm troops of picked German divisions. Despite heavy casualties from the artillery preparation, the 58th Battalion stood firm. This was due largely to the fine heroism and determination of the front line men. Two platoons from the 58th Battalion’s front line had to be withdrawn to man the Battalion’s right flank, which became more and more exposed as the German penetrations on the front of the 33rd Division deepened.
During all this time, the bombardment of Glencorse Wood was terrific. Towards evening it became advisable to withdraw the badly shattered 58th Battalion to a position in close support.
Private James Edward McGill, was mortally wounded in action on this 25 September 1917, with multiple shrapnel wounds to the head and face, and died of wounds the same day in the 3rd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station. He was only born in 1899 and was probably not quite 18 years of age when he died. He is buried in the Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, plot XXIII, row C, grave 18. His older brother Alfred Eager McGill, of the 18th Battalion AIF, was severely wounded and survived 6 days in the 10th Casualty Clearing Station before he died on 26th September 1917.
By sheer chance, the two casualty stations the brothers died in are quite near one another, and the brothers are both buried in plot XXIII of the Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery. His other brother Herbert John McGill continued to serve in the 18th Battalion but was badly wounded later during 1918. He survived the war, returning home to Australia in December 1918
Connection to other soldiers 1
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Alfred Eager McGill
Brother |
Sources 8
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"The Story of the Fifth Australian Division", Capt. Ellis A.D., Hodder and Stoughton Ltd, London, page 240-241 Sources used |
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CWGC https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/431466/james-edward-mcgill/ Sources used |
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Map="The Story of the Fifth Australian Division", Capt. Ellis A.D., Hodder and Stoughton Ltd, London, page 232 Sources used |
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Service Record https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=1944138 Sources used |
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The AIF Project https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=197824 Sources used |
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The Australian War Memorial https://www.awm.gov.au/advanced-search/people?people_preferred_name=McGill&people_service_number=2934&people_unit= Sources used |
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The Long Long Trail http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/order-of-battle-of-divisions/5th-australian-division/ Sources used |
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War Diary https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1357072 Sources used |