James Charles Kerford was born in Warrnambool, VIC and was a Labourer living in Ballarat when he enlisted in the 24th Battalion 19th Reinforcement on 21 March 1916 at the age of 28. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A11 Ascanius on 11 May 1917. Shortly after his arrival in England he was admitted to the Parkhouse Military Hospital suffering from mumps. A series of charges for being absent without leave highlighted his next few months, but in February 1918 he crossed to France to join the 24th Battalion. On September 1st he was wounded in action, suffering a severe gunshot wound to his thigh that fractured his femur. He was evacuated to hospital, first at Rouen in France, and then to the 1st Southern General Hospital at Edgbaston in England. By the time he was released from hospital the war was over, and he returned to Australia on the Margha, reaching Melbourne on March 5th 1919.
Tree No 2942