FINLAY, James

FINLAY, James – A Southern Downs Veteran

CONFLICT : WWI
SERVICE NO : 4758
RANK : Private
UNIT : 31st Battalion
ENLISTMENT DATE : 28/11/1916
AGE : 35
PLACE OF ENLISTMENT : Warwick, Queensland
PLACE OF BIRTH : Woodside, Victoria
RELIGION : Presbyterian
OCCUPATION : Grazier
DATE OF DEATH : 29/10/1965
PLACE OF BURIAL : Yarram, Victoria

MEMORIALS : Dalveen WWI Honour Boards, Stanthorpe Soldiers Memorial Rolls of Honor

View Veteran’s Service File : FINLEY, James

NOTES :

James Finlay was born in Woodside, South Gippsland in Victoria. Looking for good grazing land, he moved to Dalveen in Queensland and purchased a grazing property. He was living as a single man when he enlisted in November 1916 and nominated his mother, Mrs Jessie Finlay, of Woodside, South Gippsland, Victoria as his next of kin.

George Finlay 7234, a brother of James also joined the Australian Imperial Force and was wounded on two occasions while fighting in France.

After enlisting in Warwick in September 1916, James sailed aboard the Wiltshire as part of the 31st Battalion for active service overseas. Landing in England to undertake training, James suffered a bout of the measles and contracted mumps and did not proceed to France until October 1917.

Returning to Australia, he was discharged medically fit and discharged in late 1919. James was back at Woodside at the time of his death. He remained a bachelor.

Read about Southern Downs Military History here.