James Patrick McGinness

McGINNESS, James Patrick- – – SPC 1896

DoB:- – c1881, Framlingham, near Port Fairy, VIC

Father:- – James McGinness

Mother:- – Catherine, nee Taaffe

James McGinness was a boarder at St Patrick’s, along with his brother, Paul Joseph (SPC 1910-1911) who also enlisted. John McGinness (SPC 1905) was a cousin, and he also volunteered for service.

Service No:- 2064

Rank:- – Sergeant

Unit:- – 47th Battalion

James McGinness enlisted on 19 October 1915. He was a single man, aged 33 years and six months, whose occupation was farmer and grazier. He was five feet, nine inches tall, with a dark complexion, grey eyes and dark brown hair.

He was promoted to the rank of Acting Corporal on 4 January 1916, and further to Quartermaster Sergeant on 31 March 1916, not long after he arrived at Suez on 23 March 1916, disembarking from the Ballarat.

On 2 June 1916, he proceeded from Alexandria to France, disembarking at Marseilles. He was promoted to the rank of Lance Sergeant on 9 August. On 1 September, L/Sergeant McGinness was admitted to the 44th Casualty Clearing Station in the field, having sustained gunshot wounds to his chest, leg, arm and shoulder. He died of his wounds on 5 September 1916, aged 35 years.

Sergeant McGinness was buried at Puchevillers British Cemetery, seven and a half miles south-south-east of Doullens.

His effects were returned to his mother and included a scarf, two brushes, two note books, a writing pad, and a letter.