SERVICE PERSON RESEARCH
SERVICE PERSON DETAILS
Service Person’s
Name
James Lennon
Rank
Private
Service Number
14
Regiment/Unit or
Ship or Squadron
Date of Birth
42nd Australian Infantry Battalion
May 1874
Place of Birth
Braidwood New South Wales
Family Details
Married to Mrs Catherine Jane Lennon
Brother Patrick Lennon
Mother , name unknown, living in New South Wales
Age at Enlistment
42 Years and 9 Months
Place of Enlistment
Brisbane, Queensland
Place of Death
Armentieres
Cemetery or
Memorial Name
Grave or Memorial
Number
Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery, Armentieres, Lille, Nord Pas de Calais, France
IV. E. 15.
PHOTO:
The only known family photo of James’ grave in Bonjean Cemetery
Source: Long Family, Family Photo of Private John Lennon’s Grave.
SERVICE PERSON’S STORY/EULOGY:
Prepared by Sasha Brady
James Lennon is my great, great uncle. He wasn’t your typical fresh-faced athletic young soldier. He
enlisted aged 42 years old, one of the eldest within his battalion, already grey haired, and measuring a
mere 5 foot 5 inches.
He was as fun-loving as they come. Before the war, despite his age he worked as a horse breaker for the
army. Within his casualty form, it is recorded he was absent without leave for 44 hours before his battalion
left for the Western Front, for which he was admonished and docked 2 days’ pay. The family story is that
he and his mates snuck out to party and make the most of their last night before war.
On the Western Front, James was initially assigned to the 41st Battalion, and fought in several battles in
both Belgium and France. He was transferred to the 42nd Battalion in early February 1917.
Tragically, the first day after his transfer, he was killed by a shell which hit his torso, killing him and six
other men. He was buried in Bonjean Cemetery Armentieres.
The news of his death deeply affected his widow, Catherine Lennon. She wrote enquiring for more
information after receiving the news that he had been killed in action. The pair had only recently married
prior to James’ enlistment, a marriage occurring much later in both their lives than was expected for the
time period. Their time together was severely limited, and Catherine never remarried.
However, she was not the only one affected. James’ brother, Patrick also wrote enquiring after James’ fate.
Patrick and James’ mother had grown apart from James’, as they lived in New South Wales, and James in
Queensland. They hadn’t known about his recent marriage to Catherine. They hadn’t even known he’d
enlisted for the war. His loss was sorely felt by them both.
As stated, James was a fun-loving man, and if family reputation holds true, at times extremely reckless.
However he was old and mature enough to know what he was signing up for. He had talked over the risks
with his wife Catherine. And I really think that’s extremely admirable. So many young men signed up for
World War 1 with a romanticised view of war as their next big adventure. Whilst in itself their good
intentions in seeking this out are admirable, I believe it takes true courage to be aware of the horrors war
will bring, and to make a conscious decision that, because you believe in what you’re fighting for, you’re
willing to face those horrors.
I admire James Lennon. He died with great bravery, and integrity, and was sorely missed by his loved ones.
Lest we forget.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Australian Red Cross Society 2015, 14 Private James Lennon 42nd Battalion, Australian Red Cross Society
Wounded and Missing Enquiry Bureau files, 1914-1918 War 1DRL/0428:
http://static.awm.gov.au/images/collection/pdf/RCDIG1042749--1-.PDF (accessed 3 February 2015)
Australian War Memorial 2015, 42nd Australian Infantry Battalion,
https://www.awm.gov.au/unit/U51482/ (accessed 3 February 2015)
Australian War Memorial 2015, Roll of Honour: James Lennon,
Https://www.awm.gov.au/people/rolls/R1639780/ (accessed 3 February 2015)
Commonwealth War Graves Commission 2015, Casualty Details: James Lennon, www.cwgc.org/find-wardead/casualty-details/photographic-request.aspx?cid=276730&name=LENNON,%20JAMES
(accessed 3 February 2015)
Cosgrove, C. 2015, Lennon, James - The War Graves Photographic Project,
http://www.twgpp.org/information.php?id=3338677 (accessed 3 February 2015).
National Archives of Australia 2015, NAA: B2455, LENNON JAMES,
http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=8193478 (accessed 3
February 2015).