James (Jimmie) Tait
Regimental number: 1457 Rank: Corporal – Returned to Australia (RTA)
71 years – b. 1885 d. 1957
James Tait was born in Scotland and his wife Elinor lived in Glasgow during the war. James’ mother was Janet Tait. Prior to enlistment James was an engine driver.
James enlisted on 9 January 1915 in Cairns aged 29 years. When he joined the army James was 5 foot 7 inches tall, weighed 144 pounds with fair complexion, grey eyes and fair hair. He was assigned to the 2nd reinforcements of the 9th Battalion in Enoggera and embarked on the “Seang Bee” on 13 February 1915.
James served on Gallipoli from 7 May 1915 and in August 1915 he was sent to hospital. In 1916 he was transferred to the 47th Battalion.
In August 1917 he was commended for his “special ability and courage as a scout. He was on patrol nightly in no man’s land and showed resource, determination and initiative under adverse conditions.”
During 1918 James was promoted to Corporal and was attached to an armourer workshop. He later transferred to the 48th Battalion serving in France.
James returned to Australia on the “Delta” on 24 January 1919 and was discharged from the army on 23 May 1919. James was entitled to the 1914-1915 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
James lived in Henderson Street, Bulimba and his children attended Bulimba School – Andrew, Claire, James, Janet, Jessie, Margaret and Robert. In the 1920’s and 1930’s James was an office bearer in the Bulimba Hawthorne sub-branch of the Returned Sailors and Soldier’s Imperial League of Australia. James and his wife were active members of the Presbyterian Church in Bulimba. He died aged 71 years and was buried at Mt Thompson Crematorium.
