James Price Ronald

James was born on the 21st of January 1894 at Tallangatta, Victoria, the youngest son of Claude Alexander and Matilda Price. He would be one of ten children. The family would live and work on their property at Annadale. Claude had originally started out as a boundary rider on the Old Kangaroo Estate and had purchased a portion of it. James worked on the property as a labourer.

He signed his attestation forms on the 21st of April 1915, four days before the landing on the Gallipoli Peninsula. For the first month of his enlistment he was part of the Depot 15th Company. On the 28th of May he was transferred to the 7th Reinforcements of the 5th Battalion. 

The 24th of June 1915 edition of the Upper Murray and Mitta Herald takes up James’ story.

“TALLANGATTA SOLDIER”S FATAL ILLNESS

A sad death occurred at the military base hospital, St Kilda Road on Friday last. The victim was Private James Price Ronald, 21½, youngest son of Mr. Claud Ronald, of Koetong Road, Tallangatta. The young fellow, filled with martial arder, left Tallangatta on  the 13th of April, and went into training at Broadmeadows. About four weeks ago, he had an attack of influenza, and obtaining sick leave, went to live with his brother Constable Hugh Ronald at North Fitzroy. He apparently got all-right, and returned to camp some three weeks ago. Soon after his return, however, he developed measles and a very heavy cold and was removed to the hospital. On Wednesday of last week his condition was so serious that his mother was telegraphed for, and she proceeded to Melbourne on Thursday. On Friday evening word came through of the young soldier’s death. Before joining the colours, Private Ronald was a bright, happy young fellow and very popular with his associates. His untimely death is very much regretted. The remains were interred in Tallangatta cemetery on Saturday afternoon, the Anglican burial service being read by the Rev. R. F. Tacon. Two other boys are in military service; - one, Henry, is a sergeant in the Royal Australian Garrison Artillery at Queenscliffe, and another, William, is with the Australian Expeditionary Force now operating against the Turks on Gallipoli Peninsula.”

James died as a result of bronchopneumonia, a complication from having the measles. He is remembered on the Towong Shire Boer War and WW1 Memorial in the Memorial Hall in Tallangatta.

Unbeknown to Claude and Matilda, Sergeant William Alfred Ronald (605), their seventh child, of the 1st Infantry Battalion, 1st AIF had been killed in action at Gallipoli a month before James had died. The family were notified in July by other local soldiers and would not receive official confirmation until November of that year.