John James McNamara

John James McNamara was born on 24th July 1894 in Cudgewa, Victoria, to Michael McNamara and Catherine (Kate) Francis, nee Carmody. He would be the third of thirteen children. 

On the 17th March 1916, he enlisted at Tallangatta, Victoria. At the time, he was a single, 21-year-old farmer from Cudgewa, Victoria. He was allocated Regimental Number 633 and placed in B Company of the 37th Battalion. John gave his next of kin as father, Michael McNamara. After initial training, he embarked on HMAT A34 Persic at Melbourne, Victoria, on 3rd June 1916.

Two months after arriving in England, John was admitted to the Fargo Military Hospital with influenza in late September. On the 22nd of November, he crossed the channel to France. He would have two more stints in hospital while he was in France, two due to illness and the third due to being wounded in action on 4th June 1918. On that day, he received gunshot wounds to the skull and hip. Within twelve days, he was aboard the HT Gloucestershire Castle. He was admitted to the Beaufort War Hospital. Three days before the Armistice was declared, John was transferred to No. 2 Command Depot at Weymouth.

On 12th December 1918, he returned to Australia aboard HMAT A71 Nestor, with the rank of Private. He was discharged on 11th March 1919, and was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal for his service during the war.

After returning home from the war, John would settle in the Nariel Valley and gain employment as a labourer. He married Dorothy Cecily Mary Bailey in 1945.  He passed away on the 27th May 1957 at Corryong, Victoria and was buried in Corryong Cemetery.