World War I Commemorative Website

War Memorial Hall  c1929

Memorial Hall circa 1929
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James Greer Gould FAIRBAIRN

FAIRBAIRN

James Fairbairn was born on 28 August 1886 in Manchester, England. His parents were Reverend William David and Geneve (née Dawnay) Fairbairn. He attended Scotch from 1899 to 1902.

James had been a stock and station agent, as well as a grazier and auctioneer before he enlisted on 1 September 1915 at Liverpool, New South Wales. He served in the Imperial Camel Corps with the rank of Corporal. His Regimental Number was 2176.

James died on 4 December 1917 in Jerusalem, Palestine. He was 31 years of age.

Service record

On enlisting, James was allotted as a Private to the 15th Reinforcements for the 6th Light Horse Regiment. He sailed for the Middle East on 22 March 1916. On arrival in Egypt he was taken on strength of the 2nd Light Horse Training Regiment on 2 April 1916. He was transferred to the 2nd Double Squadron on 1 July 1916, when he was also promoted to Temporary Sergeant. He soon lost this rank, for on 10 August 1916 he was found guilty of returning to camp drunk the previous day and then of being absent from a 4.30 pm parade and a 5.00 pm parade. He was reduced to the rank of Temporary Corporal.

He was attached to the 2nd Light Horse Training Regiment while undergoing dental treatment on 12 October 1916. Then in November he was taken on strength of the 4th Australian Camel Regiment at Abbassia, and was appointed Troop Corporal. On 7 February 1917, he was transferred again, this time to the 17th Company of the Imperial Camel Corps.

He was killed in action in Palestine on 4 December 1917. One source says he was killed in front of Hill 265, known as ‘Bald Hill’, about eight miles inland from Jaffa. His father described James in his Roll of Honour circular as ‘an enthusiastic horseman and good rifle shot’.

James Fairbairn has no known grave, but is commemorated at the Jerusalem Memorial, within the Jerusalem War Cemetery, in Israel.

Sources:

  1. Australian War Memorial – Roll of Honour
  2. Mishura Scotch Database
  3. National Archives of Australia – B2455, FAIRBAIRN J G G
  4. Scotch Collegian 1919
  5. The AIF Project - https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=93940

Page last updated: 11 November 2015