Gourley, James Alexander

6126 Private James Alexander Gourley MM - 32nd Battalion AIF

James Alexander Gourley was born in Ireland in 1884 to David and Matilda Gourley. He had four siblings, Arthur (1876), Henry (1879), Robert (1883) and Frederick (1884).

The family migrated to Australia in 1887 with the family setting up residence in East Fremantle, though they did have a short stay in the Goldfields.

The family lived at Riverside Road East Fremantle and James was working as a shipwright and contractor. When they first moved to Riverside Road East Fremantle there were only three houses in existence in that area.

His father David, was well known in Fremantle as he wanted to grow sugar cane locally plus he was also involved in sailing on the Swan River, having built a boat called 'White Wings' which was reputedly the fasted boat on the Swan River.

James became heavily involved in the local community, particularly with the Fremantle Caledonians, a soccer club or as it was called then, British Association Football. 

The team regularly played at Fremantle Park and Fremantle Oval through 1914 & 1915.

However the numbers soon dwindled as many of the men in the Caledonians would go on to serve in the Great War.

James would enlist on the 3rd December 1915. The medical examiner passed him as fit for service and recorded his physical attributes as;

Height - 5 feet 8 inches tall;

Weight - 175lbs;

Chest Measurement - 38-41 inches;

Complexion - Fresh;

Eyes - Blue;

Hair - Brown.

Soccer Team Fremantle Caledonians - James front row third from right

After his successful enlistment James was sent to Blackboy Hill Camp. He had a few months in the depot training camp being taken through the basics of infantry work. On the 28th February 1916 James was assigned to the 15th Reinforcements to the 11th battalion AIF.

However it appears he did not remain with this group long and was excused from service. There was no further information until the 7th July 1916 when James signed up for the AIF again. He was once again passed as fit for service and was assigned to the 19th Reinforcements to the 16th Battalion AIF.

On the 7th August 1916 James and his group entrained for Fremantle Harbour where they boarded the transport ship HMAT Miltiades and then set sail for England. After the long sea voyage the ship arrived at Plymouth Harbour on the 25th September 1916. The men were then disembarked and were sent to the 4th Training Battalion at Codford Camp on the Salisbury Plains.

James spent the next few months training in England. On the 4th December 1916 he embarked for France and upon arriving at Etaples was sent to the 4th Australian Division Base Depot Camp. While at the base depot camp James became ill and was sent to the 26th General Hospital. He was diagnosed with a PUO or Pyrexia of Unknown origin. The illness was enough to keep him in Hospital and convalescent camps till the 28th March 1917. James was then sent back to the 4th Australian Division Base Depot.

However he now was re-assigned units. Instead of joining the 16th Battalion, James was sent to the 32nd Battalion. He joined them on the 15th April 1917 when the unit were near Bapaume.

On the 11th May 1917 James was wounded when the Battalion were in action at Bullecourt. He received a shrapnel wound to his leg. He was initially treated at the 3rd Field Ambulance and then the 3rd Australian Casualty Clearing Station. James was then sent to the 22nd General Hospital at Camiers.

Fortunately the wound wasn't severe and after a few weeks in hospital and convalescent camps, James returned to the 32nd Battalion on the 27th June 1917.

The 32nd Battalion were then on a three month break from front line duties so much time was spent on training and sporting activities.

In September 1917 the 32nd Battalion, as part of the 5th Australian Division returned to action at the Third Battle of Ypres in Belgium. On the 24th September 1917 James was detached for duty to the Divisional water supply, but returned to the 32nd Battalion on the 2nd October 1917.

He had missed his unit's first action at Polygon Wood but was soon in action during October 1917 at Broodseinde Ridge and Celtic Wood. He survived these actions unscathed.

When the Battalion was relieved from front line duties, James got into trouble for missing the 32nd Battalion's CO's parade on the 28th October 1917. As a result he was given seven days of Field Punishment No.2.

From November 1917 to March 1918, the 32nd battalion continued to hold portions of the front line between Ypres and Messines in Belgium.

On the 3rd January 1918, James was granted a fortnight's leave to the UK, returning to his unit on the 20th January 1918. James was then with his unit up till the 14th March 1918. He had fallen ill and was diagnosed with bronchitis and scabies. He initially only had ten days under care and returned to his unit on the 24th March, however his condition worsened and on the 29th March was sent to the 14th Field Ambulance. He was then evacuated to Camiers where he was admitted to the 20th General Hospital. After a few weeks here and then in a convalescent camp, James had recovered. However before rejoining his unit, James spent a month at the Australian Infantry Base Depot at Le Havre. James eventually rejoined the 32nd Battalion on the 19th June 1918.

The 32nd Battalion were then in the vicinity of Villers-Bretonneux and the Somme River. On the 29th July 1918 the 32nd Battalion attacked and captured a vital position known as the Brick Beacon. This position had afforded the Germans a view over the Australian positions and its capture was vital.

A week after this attack, the 32nd Battalion also took part in the August 8th 1918 advance from Villers-Bretonneux. They successfully took their objectives. The 32nd Battalion were in action regularly over the next seven weeks as the Germans were being pushed back and advanced to the south of Peronne in early September 1918.

By the end of the month the 32nd Battalion were at the Hindenburg Line defences. The 32nd battalion were to capture the French village of Nauroy. In a successful operation the 32nd Battalion took their objectives and the 32nd Battalion commanding officer was awarded the Victoria Cross.

James was also decorated for his part in the action, being awarded the Military Medal. His official recommendation reads;

During the operations near Nauroy on the 29th September 1918 Pte. Gourley showed great courage, initiative and devotion to duty. He was in charge of one of two Lewis Gun teams which were sent forward to protect the flank of the Battalion where a gap had occurred. The enemy at the time were attacking at that place and prompt action had to be taken. Pte Gourley never wavered but led his team into position and at once opened fire on the advancing enemy. The maneuver was brilliantly executed and although subjected to very heavy machine gun fire he continued to hold on to his position and to fire until the attack was repelled. His coolness and bravery throughout the operation and his fine example greatly encouraged his comrades and he is entitled to high commendation.

After this action at Nauroy, the 32nd Battalion was withdrawn from the line for a rest period. This rest period was still in effect when the Armistice was announced so James and his unit were to see no more fighting.

When the Germans withdrew to their own borders, the Australians were sent to what had been German occupied parts of Belgium and France. The Australians would gradually be sent home to Australia, and most Australian units were disbanded in May 1919 and the men returned to England to await departure home.

In December 1918 James had gone two weeks leave to the UK but then returned to his unit in France. James spent the next several weeks in France but then returned to England on the 14th March 1919. He was then sent to No.1 Command Depot Camp at Sutton Veny to wait being assigned a berth on a troopship home.

On the 8th May 1919, James boarded the transport ship Devanha and set sail for home. A week after he left England, the official news came through of his award of the Military Medal.

On the 15th June 1919 James arrived back in Fremantle. He was discharged from the AIF on the 6th August 1919.

After being discharged from the AIF he resumed his pre war career of Shipwright and Ships carpenter and returned to live at Riverside Road East Fremantle.

James was in Fremantle till 1931 when he moved to Geraldton. He was still working as a shipwright in Geraldton up to 1950's.

His mother, Matilda Gourley died in Fremantle 6th November 1932; his brother Arthur died in Mt Lawley WA on the 14th October 1941, and his father David died in Fremantle on the 9th February 1943.

James Gourley died in Nedlands on the 14th April 1959 aged 75. He was buried in Fremantle Cemetery plot Presbyterian MON EE 0310.