Sergeant (Sgt) James Duncan, blacksmith striker, of Donald, Victoria. He enlisted in the 23rd Battalion on the 11th March 1916 and was appointed Acting Corporal and then Recruits Sergeant before embarking from Melbourne aboard H.M.A.T. "Shropshire", arriving in Plymouth on the 11th November 1916. On the 16/01/1917 he embarked to France from Folkestone aboard the S.S. "Princess Clementine". He reverted to the ranks when he joined the Battalion in France on the 17th January 1917. The 23rd Battalion were part of 6th Australian Brigade, 2nd Australian Division which captured Bapaume on 17/03/1917 during the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, 14th March - 5th April 1917 : During Somme fighting the Germans constructed a formidable new defensive system some miles in their rear. From February 1917 they began to withdraw into it, giving up ground but in carrying out 'Operation Alberich' they made the ground as uninhabitable and difficult as possible. British patrols eventually detected the withdrawal and cautiously followed up and advanced, being brought to a standstill at the outer defences of the system. James was wounded in action near Noreuil, France on the 20th March 1917 (gunshot wounds to his right elbow). He arrived at the 45th Casualty Clearing Station and then to the 29th Ambulance Train on the 23/03/1917 and then onto the 5th General Hospital at Rouen before being invalided to England on the Hospital Ship "St George" on the 16/04/1917. Private Duncan was subsequently sent to the 3rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth, London, England, and then to the Military Orthopaedic Hospital, Shepherds Bush, London where he died as a result of the wounds received in action and pneumonia following operations. James' photo is from a poster produced at Donald, Victoria, commemorating the deaths of soldiers associated with Donald and surrounding district during the First World War. James was previously with the 1st Battalion, 15th Reinforcement. James also previously served 12 years with the Royal Field Artillery, 20th Battery. Australian records for James can be viewed here -
Australian record Also see photos for James' CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Headstone Report, H.M.A.T. A9, another photo of James, Brookwood Military Cemetery, the Australian Commonwealth Military Forces Cap Badge and James Service Records x 47.
