Foley, James Michael

No.1819 – Private James Michael Foley – 44^th Battalion AIF

James Michael Foley was born in Port Melbourne Victoria on the 26^th January 1889 to James and Annie Foley, being one of six brothers. The family moved across to Western Australia and took up residence in Norfolk Street Fremantle. James was educated at Christian Brothers College Fremantle and after leaving school went to work as a wharf labourer/waterside worker. On the 3^rd March 1916 James went to the Fremantle Drill Hall and enlisted into the AIF. He was passed as fit with the medical examiner finding him to be 5 feet 5 inches tall; weight of 132 lbs; chest measurement of 31-35 inches; fresh complexion; blue eyes and brown hair. His religious denomination was Roman Catholic.

James spent nearly three weeks in No.57 Depot, but on the 18^th April 1916 he was assigned to the 20^th Reinforcements to the 16^th Battalion. He trained with this group through to the 9^th June when he was transferred to the 2^nd Reinforcements to the 44^th Battalion with the regimental no.1819. He trained with this group in WA until the 9^th August 1916 when they boarded the H.M.A.T. “Miltiades” in Fremantle Harbour and set sail for England.

Arriving at Plymouth on the 25^th September 1916, James reinforcement group were sent to the 3^rd Australian Division Camp on the Salisbury Plains. However James was not among them as on arrival in England he was admitted to the 4^th General Hospital in Plymouth suffering from Cerebro-spinal meningitis. He remained in hospital until the 12^th November 1916 when he was transferred to Sutton Hospital at Hurdcott Camp. He remained here for a further five days before being sent back to the 3^rd Australian Division Camp. Just after his arrival the 44^th Battalion left for service in France & the rest of his reinforcement group had been absorbed by the 33^rd & 34^th (NSW) Battalion’s so James was assigned to the 11^th Training Battalion. He remained with this training unit until the 20^th December 1916 when he was assessed as fit enough to serve in France.

On the 21^st December 1916 James arrived in Etaples where he was sent to the 3^rd Australian Division Base Depot. He remained in camp here until the 13^th February 1917 and was sent to join the 44^th Battalion, being taken on strength of this unit on the 20^th February. On the 16^th March 1917 James was wounded & evacuated back to hospital after being exposed to poison gas. Initially sent to 9^th Field Ambulance, James was sent further back to 9^th Casualty Clearing Station and then the 8^th Stationary Hospital. He spent a week there before being moved on to the 25^th General Hospital at Hardelot. He remained n this hospital for three weeks and after recovering was sent to No.7 Convalescent Depot at Boulogne and subsequently No.10 Convalescent Depot at Ecault.

On the 7^th May 1917 James was well enough to be sent to the 3^rd Australian Division Base Depot though a day later returned to the 26^th General Hospital with a skin disease caused by the gas poisoning. On the 20^th May 1917 James’s condition had improved enough to be returned to the 3^rd Division Base Depot at Le Havre. He remained at the Depot for a month, only rejoining the 44^th Battalion on the 22^nd June 1917. The 44^th Battalion had recently fought in the Battle of Messines and they continued to hold the line in the newly captured territory.

On the 6^th July 1917 the 44^th Battalion were returning to front line positions at Messines when shrapnel from an exploding shell caught James in the head. He was bandaged up by his mates and only being semi conscious, was taken to a Dressing Station. He was sent further back to the 11^th Casualty Clearing Station at Bailleul however his wounds proved too severe and he died of wounds on the 7^th July 1917. He was buried in Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension in plot III.D.233 in a service conducted by Chaplain John Fahey.

His parents in Hubble Street East Fremantle would receive his personal effects and his war medals.