100 Days of Heroes: Jimmy McDevitt went above and beyond — just to get enlisted
HOBART’S Jimmy McDevitt was another of those determined young men who went to extreme lengths in order to serve their country in World War I.
Tasmania
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HOBART’S Jimmy McDevitt was another of those determined young men who went to extreme lengths in order to serve their country in World War I.
He was born in 1891 at Leongatha, Victoria, to Tasmanian parents who chose the name of the municipality they were living in — Woorayl — as their son’s middle name.
Jimmy was educated at St Joseph’s Convent School in Hobart and tried to enlist in the early days of the war.
Rejected on medical grounds due to his mild epilepsy, he went to New South Wales and successfully enlisted at Liverpool in November 1914.
He stated his birthplace as Battersea, England, but his mother’s name and correct address at 12 Sloan St, Battery Point, were later added to his record.
Jimmy left Sydney in February 1915 and arrived in Egypt in April. He was wounded in action at Gallipoli and died from his wounds on board the hospital ship Soudan on May 19, 1915.
Buried at sea shortly after his death, his name appears on the Lone Pine Memorial at Gallipoli.
His mother, Rose, was granted a pension of 26 Pounds per year, later increased to 52 Pounds which is about $5200 today.
At a meeting of the Hobart City Council on June 21, 1915, it was resolved to send letters of condolence to the relatives of six soldiers killed at the Dardanelles, including Private J. McDevitt.
Private James Woorayl McDevitt is remembered at tree 19 on the Soldiers’ Memorial Avenue and on the honour boards at the Hobart Town Hall.
damian.bester@news.com.au
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