Driver James Muir

Service number 2196
Ranks Held Driver, Gunner
Birth Date 1880-02
Birth Place Australia: Victoria, Pyramid Hill
Death Date 1950-02-13
Death Place Australia: Victoria, Melbourne, Footscray
Final Rank Driver
Unit 1st Australian Field Artillery Brigade
Places
Conflict/Operation First World War, 1914-1918
Description

James Frank Muir was born at Pyramid Hill, Victoria, in February 1880 to parents James and Elizabeth Muir (née Culnane).

On 30 March 1910 Muir married Emily Charlotte Tickell at Footscray, Victoria. The couple had a son, Windsor James, who was born at Omeo, Victoria, on 22 March 1911. Muir was a carpenter at the time of his enlistment.

Muir enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in Melbourne on 21 August 1914 and was attached to the 3rd Field Artillery Brigade Ammunition Column as a gunner. Muir embarked from Melbourne on the troopship Geelong on 19 September 1914. The Geelong travelled to Hobart to take on a further contingent of soldiers. and sailed from Hobart for Egypt on 20 October 1914. During the voyage, Muir participated in a concert given by the 3rd Company Field Engineers on 21 November 1914, and sang “I hear you calling me”.

In April 1915, Muir was attached to the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force (MEF) and remained with the MEF in Egypt until March 1916, when he left for France, arriving at Marseilles on 29 March. In May 1916, Muir was transferred to the 1st Division Ammunition Column. During October 1917, he was transferred to the 1st Field Artillery Brigade in Belgium as a driver. Muir was hospitalised with a septic hand in November 1917, rejoining his unit in early December 1917. He was hospitalised again in mid-December with diarrhoea and debility. In early January 1918, he rejoined his unit until he was granted leave in early March 1918.

In August 1918, Muir was transferred to England to the 1st Australian Division Headquarters for the purpose of special transport duty to Australia. On 20 September 1918, Muir returned to Australia aboard the troopship Arawa, undertaking submarine guard duty while on board. He disembarked in Australia on 17 November 1918 and was discharged on 17 January 1919.

James Frank Muir died at Fitzroy, Victoria, on 13 February 1950 at the age of 70. His wife, Emily, died at Footscray, Victoria, on 11 June 1951 at the age of 67.

Rolls

Timeline

Date of birth 1880-02
Date of enlistment 21 August 1914
Date of embarkation 17 September 1914
Date returned to Australia 15 September 1918
Date of death 13 February 1950