James Hilton Hotchkis

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Sat, 14/02/2015 - 13:33

First Name:

James

Middle Name:

Hilton

Last Name:

Hotchkis

Mother's Name:

Janet Hotchkis (nee McGeachie)

Father's Name:

Daniel Hotchkis

Date Enlisted:

Saturday, July 10, 1915

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Sergeant

Unit:

30th Battalion

Company:

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

1914/1915 Star

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Monday, May 2, 1938

Place of Death:

Bulli

Cause of Death:

Unknown

Details:

James Hotchkis (Service No 1564) was born in Helensburg, N.S.W. in 1892. He enlisted in the AIF on 10 July, 1915, at the age of 22 years and 11 months. He was a single man and worked as an electrical mechanic.

James embarked for the war from Sydney, on HMAT A72 Beltana, with the 1st Reinforcement, 30th Battalion, on 9 November, 1915. The Troops disembarked at Suez, Egypt, on 11 December, where they undertook training. On 24 January, 1916, James was transferred to A Company, and embarked on the Hororata, for Marseilles, disembarking on 26 June, 1916.

James saw service in France and Belgium. He seems to have been lucky as he has no record of hospital admissions for either illness or wounding.

James was promoted to Corporal in April 1918. On 26th October,1918 he was again promoted, holding the rank of Sergeant.

James returned to Australia, embarking per Miltiades, from Plymouth on 16 June, 1919, arriving back in Australian on 8 August that year.

James was discharged from the AIF on 30th August, 1919.

In 1921 he married Gladys Wilson and together they raised a family in the Illawarra.

James had a brother, John McGeachie Henderson Hotchkis (Service No 383) and a cousin who both served.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, HOTCHKIS J H 1564