James Martin FAWCETT
Trained in Melbourne and was allotted to the 6th Battalion’s 9th Reinforcements
Service Number = 2798
Date of Death = 15 August 1921
Rank = Private
Unit = 58th Battalion
Age = 44
Location = Ballarat New Cemetery, Methodist E, Section 3, Row 1, Grave 20
James Martin FAWCETT (SN 2798) enlisted in Melbourne on July 1st 1915. He was a 38 year old labourer from Scott Parade in Ballarat. He trained in Melbourne and was allotted to the 6th Battalion’s 9th Reinforcements. He embarked for overseas service on the Star of Victoria on September 10th and sailed to Egypt. In February 1916 he was transferred to the 58th Battalion with whom he moved to France in August. By October, hearing problems led to him being withdrawn to hospital in England. The following month saw him charged with ‘drunkenness and causing a disturbance at No.2 canteen’ for which he was sentenced to 96 hours in detention. In February 1917 he was in trouble again when he was absent without leave and missed embarkation to return to France. His sentence this time was 14 days detention. He did rejoin his battalion in France and on June 26th 1918 he was seriously wounded in action. He suffered multiple gunshot (more likely shrapnel) wounds to the head and was evacuated to hospital in England. He was no longer fit for active service and was returned to Australia on the Sardinia, disembarking at Melbourne on December 27th 1918. He was discharged shortly after returning home, ‘medically unfit – GSW, depressed fracture of the skull’. He died in August 1921 aged 44.