Connolly, James Patrick

Gunner James Patrick Connolly (MID) - 11th Battalion & 2nd Field Artillery Brigade

James Patrick Connolly was born in Casino NSW on the 7th March 1888 to Bridget and John Connolly.

He was one of several children and the James had his early years in NSW before the family moved to WA. The family then moved to North Fremantle and took up residence in Perth Road (Stirling Highway).

After leaving school at CBC Fremantle, James took up employment with the Postmaster Generals department and worked in the Fremantle district.

In September 1914 he enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force and was accepted as fit for service. The medical examiner recorded James's physical attributes as;

Height - 5 feet 7 & 1/2 inches tall;

Weight - 144 lbs;

Chest Measurement - 34-36 inches;

Complexion - Dark;

Eyes - Blue;

Hair - Dark.

James was assigned to the 11th Battalion and he embarked from Fremantle with them on the 31st October 1914.

After a few months more training in Egypt and Lemnos island, the 11th Battalion landed at Gallipoli on the 25th April 1915. James was wounded on the first day at Anzac, being shot in the leg and was evacuated to hospital. After his return to Gallipoli and because of his telegraph experience with the WA Post Master Generals Department, James was then taken on strength of the 1st Division Artillery HQ at Gallipoli. He spent the rest of the Gallipoli campaign with the Division HQ and was after Gallipoli was evacuated James was transferred to the 2nd Field Artillery Brigade. 

James served with the Australian Artillery from 1916-18 on the Western Front in France and Belgium. In 1917 he was awarded a Mention in Dispatches for;

He has maintained the communications of the battery in a most admirable manner over a period of many months. Repeatedly he has gone out and repaired telephone wires or laid new ones under heavy shell fire. In every respect his work has been of a most praiseworthy character.

As he was an original enlistee, the AIF began what was known as 'Anzac Leave' so those original men who were still serving, would qualify for home leave. James left Europe in October 1918 and returned home, the Armistice being declared while he was on the voyage home.

James returned to Fremantle and was discharged from the AIF on the 2nd March 1919.

James's brother Mark Connolly died in France in 1918, and his Uncle died at Gallipoli in 1915. Two of his brothers Richard and Tom also served in the Great War and survived the war.

He married Mary -- and they would have three children, Robert, John and Ruth. The family then resided at 36 Canning Road East Fremantle/Palmyra

James Patrick Connolly died in Palmyra in 1940 aged 52.