Just Another Pair Of Socks

Killed in action.

Date: 12 June, 1917

12/06/1917 - Killed In Action: Messines, Belgium;
Hit by a shell.
From Red Cross Report:
“Ordered men into trench called the Black Line when battalion was coming out for support. He was buried close by at a point 200 yards to the right of Messines. The grave was marked.” Capt. W.A. Syme
“Wounded in abdomen & arm, taken to dressing station and died almost immediately. Rumour that he was hit again while on stretcher, but stretcher bearers say this is wrong.” Captain P.W. Simpson
“He was hit in the body by a piece shrapnel. I was acting as stretcher bearer and I helped to dress his wounds. He was hit again whilst he was being carried away on a stretcher and killed.” E.L. Lorenge (1874) Charles Neville Saunders
“He was wounded at Messines and was being taken to the Dressing Station when a shell caught him killing him instantly. I did not see him killed and cannot say where he was buried.” Pte. J. Diamond, 2289, not Melton’s John Diamond Service No. 689 .

Red Cross report contains may statement saying he was a popular Company Commander who had the support of his men.

16/08/1917 "He was a friend of mine and I knew his people well at Melton. Victoria, and I wrote to his aunt and the town all about him. He was O.C. of my Coy, (C Coy) His aunt is Mrs. McPherson." Witness: Pte. Matheson 46th Bttn, G Southall.

Burial location. Taken to battalion dressing station, Gooseberry Farm; “buried … Rowlands … The map reference is Ploeg street map V3C88” (Red Cross Records) but by 1922 the remains had not been found and identified.

Memorial: Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium

James Joseph McPherson's name is located at panel 142 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial

Goods sent home:
Wallet, scissors, Cigarette case and:
One Kitbag (sealed) – 1 sleeping bag, portion of safety razor, badges, regulation colours, 1 ink well, 5 razors, 1 pair of scissors, 1 housewife, 1 pair spurs, 1 treatment, nail clippers, 10 handkerchiefs, 4 collars, 1 tie, 1 rain coat, 1 great coat, 1 cap, 1 pair leggings, 1 “Sam Browne” belt, 2 pair gloves, 2 pair gloves, 1 scarf, 1 woollen cap, 1 pair hamper straps, sleeping bag straps, 1 pair slacks, 1 pair breeches, 1 drill tunic, 1 brush
One tin trunk (sealed) – military textbooks, Notebooks, negatives, 1 identity disc, semaphore signalling cards, 1 razor, 1 pocket book, snaps, 1 wallet, 5 shirts, 1 pipe, postcards, field glasses in case, 4 pair socks, 7 collars, 2 ties, 1 camera, 1 drill tunic, 1 S.D. tunic, 1 pair S.D. slacks, 1 pair white kid gloves, 1 scarf, 1 pair white slacks, 4 pair underpants, 1 singlet, 1 helmet, 2 pair drill shorts, 1 pugaree, 2 handkerchiefs, 1 pair mittens, 1 suit case, 1 hair brush, 1 kit bag containing – military textbooks, notebooks, postcards, 1 tobacco pouch, playing cards, 1 pyjama suit, 9 pair socks, 1 leather vest, 1 pair underpants, 1 pair clippers, stars, badges, souvenirs, 2 housewives, 1 pipe, 3 collars, 1 tie, regimental colours, 1 compass, 1 pair scissors, 1 cap, 1 towel.