Ancestor Details

Name of Ancestor: James Heron

Ancestor's date of birth: 31/07/1881

Ancestor's date of death: 02/08/1965

Cause of Death: Died of natural causes.

Service and Life Before the Boer War: He was born at Port Elizabeth, South Africa. His parents came from Ireland. Did an apprenticeship in engineering.

Service Number: 4548 Roberts Horse, 20845 Driscoll's Scouts.

Colony or State of enlistment: Not Australia, Place of Enlistment: SOUTH AFRICA

Unit: Robert's Horse 22 February 1900 till 16 September 1900, Driscoll's Scouts 19 January 1901 till 15 July 1901.

Rank attained in Boer War: TPR, Date Effective: 1900

Highest Rank attained (if served after war): GNR, Date Effective: 01/04/1916 (PTE 12/12/1940)

Murray Page: Not applicable, did not serve in an Australian unit.

Contingent: Not applicable

Ship: Not applicable

Memorial details: Gravestone in a Melbourne cemetery

Awards/Decorations/Commendations: Queen's South Africa Medal with Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901 and possibly more clasps (Stated service on his AIF enlistment, 1915 would also have entitled him to the King's South Africa Medal). 1914/15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal. The Australia Service Medal 1939-1945.

Personal Characteristics: James was a bachelor. Height 172 cm, 60 kg (1915).

Reasons to go and fight: His step-sister died of starvation during the Siege of Mafikeng.

Details of service in war: With Roberts Horse he took part in the advance from Bloemfontein to Pretoria. With Driscoll's Scouts he saw service Orange River Colony both east and west of the railway, along the Vaal river, and in the south of the Transvaal.

Service and life after the Boer War: Emigrated to Australia in 1908; worked as a groom. Joined the AIF on 13 November 1915. Went to Egypt in 1/1 Remount Unit. Transferred to the Artillery. Served in France. Returned to Australia, discharged 25 October 1919. Put his age down (by 15 years) to serve in World War 2 where he served in 9 Garrison Battalion 12 December 1940 till 26 May 1944. After WW2, James became an orderly at the Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital Melbourne until his retirement.
I (Shirley Dwyer) have found a photo (in family papers) of James age 18 with a friend, both in army uniform. The photo is inscribed "Australian Photo Co. ON TOUR"

Descendant Details

Name of Descendant: Shirley Mary Dwyer, PAKENHAM VIC
Relationship to Ancestor: Great Niece

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