56352 Private James Victor Higgins Kearns - 11th Battalion AIF
James Victor Higgins Kearns was born in Menzies WA on the 19th August 1899 to James and Alice Kearns, being one of ten siblings.
The family soon moved to North Fremantle, and lived at Phillip Street North Fremantle and then the Esplanade North Fremantle. James was educated in North Fremantle during which time he also served in the Naval Cadets. After leaving school James took up work as a storeman.
On the 12th May 1917 in Fremantle James enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force. He was found to be fit for enlistment, with the medical examiner recording his physical attributes as;
Height - 5 feet 9 inches tall;
Weight - 142lbs;
Chest Measurement - 35-37 inches;
Complexion - Fresh;
Eyes - Grey;
Hair - Brown.
Upon his successful enlistment, James was sent to Blackboy Hill Camp where he was assigned to No.22 Depot. As he was barely 18 James was now sent to join the 5th Military District Guard. He spent a year in this role from the 19th May 1917 to the 22nd May 1918. They helped guard the Military barracks in WA as well as attending military funerals and providing the firing parties.
On the 22nd May 1918 James was now posted to the 2nd General Western Reinforcements group. He trained in WA with this group for the next two months. this group embarked from Albany aboard the transport ship Marathon on the 29th July 1918. After the long sea voyage the ship disembarked them at London on the 27th September 1918.
After being disembarked James was sent to the 1st Training Battalion at Sutton Veny Camp. He was allotted to the 11th Battalion but would remain in England till after the Armistice was signed in November 1918. He now found himself attached the Australian Army Service Corps and would work with them in England through to August 1919.
He then boarded the transport ship Plassy for the journey home, arriving at Fremantle on the 17th October 1919. James was then discharged from the AIF on the 24th December 1919.
After leaving the Army, John returned to his work as a storeman. In 1922 he married Martha Alice Hall in Fremantle and they would live in John Street North Fremantle. They then moved to 18 DeLisle St North Fremantle. James was now working as a Lumper on Fremantle wharf. In the 1930's they moved to 38 Jenkin Street.
James saw further service during World War Two. He had the service number W4949 and served with the 5th Anti Aircraft battery during 1941 however he was returned to his work as a Lumper on Fremantle wharf as it was for the war effort.
At this stage the family was living at 97 Market Street Fremantle. They then moved to Fortescue Street East Fremantle through the 1950's. By 1963 they were living at Essex Lane Fremantle and then moved to Guildford.
James died on the 9th April 1970 in Guildford WA aged 71. He was buried in Fremantle Cemetery plot Anglican Lawn A 0020.
