John Hugh James MC & Bar (4 May 1890 – 23 April 1967) was an Australian rules footballer who served overseas in the First AIF, who played in the 1916 Pioneer Exhibition Game, and played with the Preston and the Essendon in the Victorian Football Association (VFA), and with Richmond in the Victorian Football League (VFL).
| Hugh James | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | John Hugh James | ||
| Date of birth | 4 May 1890 | ||
| Place of birth | Sale, Victoria | ||
| Date of death | 23 April 1967 (aged 77) | ||
| Place of death | Wellington, New Zealand | ||
| Original team(s) | Preston (VFA) | ||
| Height | 185 cm (6 ft 1 in) | ||
| Weight | 89 kg (196 lb) | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 1907 | Preston (VFA) | 11 (0) | |
| 1908 | Essendon (VFA) | 2 (0) | |
| 1909–1916 | Richmond (VFL) | 114 (51) | |
| 1919–1923 | Richmond (VFL) | 74 (68) | |
| Total | 201 (119) | ||
|
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1923. | |||
| Career highlights | |||
| |||
| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
Family edit
The eldest son of Margaret Rankin James (1865–1947), née Gracie,[1] John Hugh James was born at Sale, Victoria on 4 May 1890.
He married Ethel May Condron (b.1890) in Maribyrnong, Victoria on 11 November 1913.[2] They had three children, Sylvia (1915-2008), Marjorie (b.1920), and Laurie (b.1923).
Football edit
James is third player from right, back row.[3]
The Herald, 21 Sept. 1934.[4]
28 October 1916.[5]
James is fourth player from right, back row.
James is fourth player from left, back row.
- "A champion ruckman during Richmond’s formative years in the VFL[, Hughie James] was a strongly-built man who was courageous, skilful, and very fair. He was fine team man who partnered Bernie Herbert in what was a very formidable rucking combination. He was also a very adept palmer of the ball and never became flustered during a tense situation."[6]
Preston (VFA) edit
He played in 11 games with the Preston Football Club in the Victorian Football Association (VFA) in 1907.[7] He made his debut, against Richmond, in the first round of the 1907 season.[8]
Essendon (VFA) edit
Playing the season with the "Junior" club, Maribyrnong, he played in two matches for the Essendon Association Football Club in the VFA in 1908: against North Melbourne on 8 June 1908,[9] and against Northcote on 13 June 1908.[10]
Richmond (VFL) edit
He was cleared from Essendon (Association) to Richmond on 14 April 1909.[11] He made his debut for Richmond, against St Kilda, at the Junction Oval, on 29 May 1909.[12]
Third Divisional team (AIF) edit
He played for the (winning) Third Australian Divisional team in the famous "Pioneer Exhibition Game" of Australian Rules football, held in London, in October 1916. A news film was taken at the match.[13][14]
Richmond (VFL) edit
Having returned to Melbourne from his war service a week earlier, he played his first game with Richmond, against Melbourne, at the Punt Road Oval, on 26 July 1919. He played in 74 games (68 goals) from 1919 to 1923, including the 1919 VFL Grand Final loss to Collingwood, the 1920 VFL Grand Final victory over Collingwood, and the 1921 VFL Grand Final victory over Carlton.
Military service edit
- League Footballer Enlists
A notable recruit entered the room [at the Melbourne Town Hall Depot] during the evening [of 28 January 1916] in an unassuming manner peculiar to himself. He was Hugh James, for many years a burly and indefatigable follower with the Richmond football team in League premiership competitions. He gave his age as 25 and stated that he was a married man with one child. They were going to turn me down he said when questioned, "and said my eyesight was not good; but it seems that they mixed me up with another chap. Anyhow, I objected and told them that I would submit to a test on the other side of the street. The doctor was very nice when he found out how matters were. It was all over in a moment or two. I thought it was up to me to do my share. You see I'm young and in good condition. And--who knows?--I might be on the ball again in a season or two." So be it. A great many admirers of this popular player will devoutly hope so, at any rate. — The Argus, 28 January 1916.[15]
- League Footballer Enlists
He served in the First AIF from 1916 to 1919. Rising to the rank of Lieutenant, he was twice wounded on active duty in France, and was twice awarded the Military Cross for bravery in the battlefield,[16] "making him the most decorated senior footballer of the Great War".[17]
Military Cross edit
In December 1917 he was awarded a Military Cross:
- 2nd Lieutenant John Hugh James, Infantry.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in reconnoitring and repairing a road and constructing a bridge over a river under heavy shell fire. His gallantry under the most trying circumstances was a fine example, and inspired his men with the greatest confidence.[18][19][20]
- 2nd Lieutenant John Hugh James, Infantry.
The original recommendation for the award read as follows:
- 2nd Lieut. John Hugh JAMES.,
3rd Aust. Pioneer Battalion.
On the 7th and 8th June 1917, at MESSINES ROAD he reconnoitred and repaired this road, and constructed a bridge over the river DOUVE under heavy shell fire. His devotion to duty under the most trying circumstances, was a fine example, and inspired his men with confidence.[21]
- 2nd Lieut. John Hugh JAMES.,
Bar to Military Cross edit
In May 1919 he was awarded a Bar to his Military Cross:
- Lieutenant John Hugh James., M.C., 3rd Pioneer Battalion.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. This officer led his platoon against a strongly defended line, suffering heavy casualties from machine-gun fire, but he reached his objective and captured thirty prisoners. He superintended and encouraged the men in the consolidation of the position, exposed to constant machine-gun and rifle fire. His determination contributed largely to the success of the operation.[22][23]
- Lieutenant John Hugh James., M.C., 3rd Pioneer Battalion.
The original recommendation for the award, dated 5 September 1918, by Lieutenant Colonel William Henry Sanday, read as follows:
- On the 22nd. August, 1918, during the attack West of BRAY, Lieut. JAMES led his platoon with great gallantry and skill. Although the enemy line was strongly held by machine-guns which caused many casualties among his men, he succeeded in reaching his objective and capturing 30 prisoners.
Throughout the consolidation his men were subject to heavy machine-gun and rifle fire, and it was only by his courage, cheerful disposition and total disregard of danger that the consolidation was successful.
His fine example, great gallantry and devotion to duty was an inspiration to all ranks and contributed largely to the success of the operation.[24]
- On the 22nd. August, 1918, during the attack West of BRAY, Lieut. JAMES led his platoon with great gallantry and skill. Although the enemy line was strongly held by machine-guns which caused many casualties among his men, he succeeded in reaching his objective and capturing 30 prisoners.
Return to Australia edit
He returned to Australia on the troopship Rio Pardo,[25][26] arriving in Adelaide on 17 July 1919, and in Melbourne (via interstate rail at Spencer Street Railway Station) on 18 July 1919.[27][28][29]
Death edit
He died in Wellington, New Zealand, on 23 April 1967.[30]
See also edit
Notes edit
- ^ Death Notices: James, The (Melbourne) Herald, (Tuesday, 13 May 1947), p. 6.
- ^ Wedding Bells: James—Condron, The Essendon Gazette, (Thursday, 20 November 1913), p. 4.
- ^ The Victorian Team, The (Adelaide) Chronicle, (Saturday, 22 August 1914), p.31.
- ^ 'Enthusiast', "Best Ever in Victoria (Letter to the Editor)", The (Melbourne) Herald, (Saturday, 22 September 1934), p. 30.
- ^ Detail of Organised by Australian Olympic swimmer Lieutenant Frank Beaurepaire, etc., in the collection of the Australian War Memorial (Accession number: H16689).
- ^ Hogan (1996), pp.110-111.
- ^ The VFA Project.
- ^ Richmond v. Preston, The (Melbourne) Herald, Saturday, 4 May 1907), p. 4.
- ^ Essendon v. North Melbourne, The Essendon Gazette, (Thursday, 11 June 1908), p. 4.
- ^ Football: Essendon v. Northcote, The Essendon Gazette, (Thursday, 18 June 1908), p. 4.
- ^ Late Sporting News, The Age, (Thursday, 15 April 1909), p. 8.
- ^ Football; Richmond v. St. Kilda: A Fine Finish, The Richmond Guardian, (Saturday, 5 June 1909), p. 3.
- ^ The original newsreel: Australian Football (Pathé Newsreel, 1916) on YouTube
- ^ The 2019 remastered and colourised version of the original newsreel: Australian Football (Pathé Newsreel, 1916), remastered and colourised version (2019) on YouTube
- ^ The Call for Men: Recruiting in Victoria: League Footballer Enlists, The Argus, (Friday, 28 January 1916), p.8.
- ^ "RICHMOND FOOTBALL CAPTAIN AWARDED CROSS". Richmond Guardian. Vic.: National Library of Australia. 12 January 1918. p. 3.
- ^ AustralianFootball.com.
- ^ Extract from the relevant London Gazette (of 25 August 1917), published at (Awards of Military Cross), Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, No.219, (Thursday, 20 December 1917), p. 3381.
- ^ "No. 30251". The London Gazette (Supplement). 25 August 1917. p. 8823.
- ^ "It's An Honour: JAMES, John Hugh". Australian Government.
- ^ Collection of the Australian War Museum.
- ^ Extract from the relevant London Gazette (of 11 January 1919), published at Awarded a Bar to Military Cross, Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, No.61, (Friday, 23 May 1919), p. 894.
- ^ "No. 31119". The London Gazette (Supplement). 11 January 1919. p. 603.
- ^ Collection of the Australian War Museum.
- ^ Soldiers with Decorations, The Age, (Tuesday, 1 July 1919), p. 6.
- ^ German Steamers: Use as Australian Transports: Fourteen Requisitioned, The Argus, (Wednesday, 23 April 1919), p. 9.
- ^ Service Record.
- ^ Inter-State, Daily Commercial News and Shipping List, (Friday, 18 July 1919), p. 8.
- ^ Troops Returning: Rio Pardo Men Tomorrow, The (Melbourne) Herald, (Thursday, 17 July 1919), p. 15.
- ^ Collins, Ben, "The incredible story of WW1 hero and Tiger great Hughie James", afl.com.au, 25 April 2017.
References edit
- Pioneer Exhibition Game Australian Football: in aid of British and French Red Cross Societies: 3rd Australian Division v. Australian Training Units at Queen's Club, West Kensington, on Saturday, October 28th, 1916, at 3pm, Wightman & Co., (London), 1919.
- de Lacy, H.A., "Hughie James Comes Home and Talks of Some Great Men in a Great Game", The Sporting Globe, (Saturday, 30 April 1938), p.8.
- Hogan P: The Tigers of Old: A Complete History of Every Player to Represent the Richmond Football Club between 1908 and 1996, Richmond FC, (Melbourne), 1996. ISBN 0-646-18748-1
- De Bolfo, Tony (14 March 2017). "200 Club push for 'Mulga', Baxter and Bob". Carlton Football Club.
- First World War Embarkation Roll: Lance-Sergeant John Hugh James (223), collection of the Australian War Memorial.
- First World War Nominal Roll: Lieutenant John Hugh James, Australian War Museum.
- First World War Service Record: Lieutenant John Hugh James, National Archives of Australia.
- Photograph at Picture Victoria.
- Photograph at File:Richmond_fc_1920.jpg, third from left, back row.
- Photograph at File:Richmond_fc_1921.jpg, second from left, middle row.
- Richardson, N. (2016), The Game of Their Lives, Pan Macmillan Australia: Sydney. ISBN 978-1-7435-3666-7
External links edit
- Hughie James's playing statistics from AFL Tables
- Hugh James at AustralianFootball.com
- Richmond Football Club – Hall of Fame.
- Boyles Football Photos: Hughie James.
- The VFA Project: Hugh James — note that if (apart from his time with Preston in 1907 and 1908) he had played for Essendon (Association) in 1902, as this mistaken record claims, he would only have been 12 years old at the time.
- "James, Louis _EssA08", at The VFA Project.