Private, 5/1562A, James McWilliam(23) – Killed in Action

2nd Wellington Regiment, New Zealand Expeditionary Force, 21st September 1916

Family Grave of James McWilliam at Boharm Old Churchyard Cemetery, Banffshire

Synopsis of Life and Military Service

James McWilliam was born on 29 April 1893 and following his emigration enlisted at New Zealand on 11 January 1915, he had been employed as a Farm Labourer at that time. His address was given as Wallacetown, Invercargill, South Island, New Zealand. During his attestation his details were given as follows:-

Age – 22 years
Height – 5’8”
Weight – 150llbs
Chest – 34 – 38 Max
Complexion – Fresh
Eyes – Dark Brown
Hair – Auburn
Religion – Presbyterian

On enlistment, he joined the Otago Regiment, moving onto the Divisional Train as a driver on the 5 April 1915, The Train provided horse-drawn transport for the formation known as a Division. It usually comprised a small Train Headquarters, one Headquarters Company, three other Horse Transport Companies and a contingent of other troops (known as Army Troops), all of the Army Service Corps. On the 29 March 1916 he was posted to the 2nd Wellington Regiment.

His embarkation is shown as 14 February 1915 to 26 March 1915 from Wellington, New Zealand to Suez, Egypt on board HMNZT 17, 18 or 19, vessel was Maunganui or Tahiti or Aparima. He served in the Egyptian Theatre of War from 27 March 1915 and sometime in 1916 was posted to Western Europe.

James was injured on the 15 September 1916 and he was to die from these wounds on the 21 September 1916 and buried at Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt-L’Abbe, Somme, France.

Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt-L’Abbe, Somme, France where James McWilliam is honoured and buried. © CWGC

Family

James McWilliam was born about 29 April 1893.

In the 1901 Census James is shown as aged 7 years and a scholar, his family was shown as:-

Mother – Anne (Annie) Smith or McWilliam born circa 1864
Father – James McWilliam born c.1858
Sister – Jessie McWilliam born c.1887
Brother – Alexander McWilliam born c.1889
Brother – William McWilliam born c.1891
Sister – Annie McWilliam born c.1896
Sister – Gabella McWilliam born c.1899
Sister – Elizabeth McWilliam born C 1901 (died in infancy)
Brother – Robert McWilliam, born 13 May 1906 at Boharm, Banffshire.

The family gravestone at Boharm Churchyard reads:- IN LOVING MEMORY OF JAMES MCWILLIAM WHO DIED AT BLACKPARK, BOHARM, 14TH MAY 1931 AGED 74. HIS WIFE ANNE SMITH WHO DIED 4TH DEC. 1934 AGED 71. THEIR DAUGHTER ELIZABETH WHO DIED IN INFANCY. THEIR SON JAMES WHO DIED OF WOUNDS 21ST SEP. 1916 AGED 23. “THY WILL BE DONE.”