James Thomas Hastie was born in Ballarat and was a Fireman by trade when he enlisted in the 39th Battalion, 3rd Reinforcement on 10 June 1916 at the age of 44. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A9 Shropshire on 25 September 1916. After just a month in the English winter he was admitted to the Fargo Military Hospital suffering from bronchitis. While in hospital he was further assessed and it was decided that he should be returned to Australia. In July 1917 he left England on the Euripides and was discharged on December 21st as æmedically unfit – debility – rheumatism'.
Tree No. 1043