BOURNE, James Henry

BOURNE, James Henry – A Southern Downs Veteran

CONFLICT : WWI
SERVICE NO : 5297
RANK : Private
UNIT : 26th Battalion
ENLISTMENT DATE : 10/02/1916
AGE : 35
PLACE OF ENLISTMENT : Warwick, Queensland
PLACE OF BIRTH : Quirindi, New South Wales
RELIGION : Church of England
OCCUPATION : Farmer
DATE OF DEATH : 21/09/1961
PLACE OF BURIAL : Miles, Queensland

MEMORIALS : Yelarbon War Memorial, Yelarbon Roll of Honour

View Veteran’s Service File : BOURNE, James Henry

NOTES : James Henry Bourne was born in Quirindi, New South Wales and was the fourth child of James and Mary Jane Elizabeth Bourne (nee Ware). James older siblings were George Thomas, William James and Henrietta Ada Jane Bourne. After the death of his father when he was only two years of age, James’s mother married Thomas Harrision Mackay. Four children were born into this marriage, Lildrid May, Thomas Harrison, Emily Rose and Arnott (Arnold) Alfred Mackay.

At the time of his enlistment in February 1916, James was working as a farmer in the Yelarbon district. His half-sister Emily Rose Mackay also of Yelarbon was listed as his next of kin. His two half-brothers Thomas Harrison Mackay 1627 and Arnot (Arnold) Alfred Mackay 1591 also enlisted.

It was noted in the Roll of Honour which appeared in The Brisbane Courier on page 10, Nov 4, 1918, reporting on the 2nd occasion James Henry Bourne had been wounded. This would have been a difficult time for the family at home, uncertain of how badly he had been wounded this time. Thankfully the family received news shortly after this stating James was on his way home. He arrived back in Australia on 20 December 1918.

His nephew Horace Cecil Baldock 2666 had served with the 42nd Battalion before he was discharged medically unfit in July 1918.

Copyright 2026 Deborah C Wheeler and Duncan McLean, Southern Downs Military History

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