Marston, James Henry (Private, b.1886 - d.1918)

Collection relating to the First World War service of 5869 Private James Henry Marston, 25th Australian Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, Australia, at sea, the United Kingdom and France, 1916-1918.

Wallet 1 of 1 – Consists of 18 letters, eight postcards, five greeting cards and three souvenirs from Private James Henry Marston to his friend, Miss Jean Calderwood. These items are dated between September 1916 and March 1918. They were written during his embarkation from Queensland, and his training and service with 25 Australian Infantry Battalion in England and France. In his letters and postcards, Private Marston writes about his embarkation, life on board the ship, his impressions of England, life in a training camp, being ill and recovering in hospital, travelling to France, serving in the trenches, sending and receiving mail, missing Australia, being on leave in Scotland, and writing from the trenches of the Western Front. He also responds to news sent to him by Miss Calderwood, and sends his regards and well wishes.

This wallet also includes reference material, including transcripts and contextual information.

Private James Henry Marston enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 1 June 1916 in Queensland. After several months of training, he embarked for overseas service as part of the 16th reinforcements of 25 Australian Infantry Battalion. Private Marston arrived in England in January 1917, and participated in training to prepare the reinforcements for service on the Western Front. He proceeded to join 25 Australian Infantry Battalion in France in May 1917. Private James Henry Marston was killed in action in France on 10 June 1918. He is commemorated on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, Picardie, France.