Sandra Culham: Threads of Memories (2015)

DateApril 2015DescriptionSandra Culham, along with her husband and daughter talk with Tauranga City Libraries staff during the 2015 Threads of Memory project, about grandfather James Joseph Hamilton, who was wounded during the Battle of the Somme but survived and was later awarded an MBE. He also served during World War II.

When the 1st World War broke out Jim travelled to Auckland to join the Army. Although only 17 years old he claimed to be 19, passed the medical exam, was enlisted, and then sworn in on 15th July 1915. On 9 January 1916 Jim travelled by the troop ship 'Tahiti', arriving in Suez on 7 February 1916. The next day Jim wrote in his diary; Slept 13 men in a tent, hope less men in tent tomorrow. Owing to measles on Tahiti we are quarantined for about 9 days. On 10 February 1916 he wrote; I wish we could get into the scrap and get it over and get home. Jim spent day after day training and marching with the Aussies. In down time they played sports and event took a trip to see the pyramids.

Jim left Egypt on 9 April 1916, arriving in Armentieres on 19 May 1916. He went to the front line on 15 July 1916. He describes the trenches; helmets galore, dead men, blood everywhere, bleeding, wounded men, snipers all around, horrible small, gas alarms and raging flies. Aussies and Kiwis working together carrying out the wounded and the dead. On 14 September 1916 (Battle of the Somme) he wrote; Just heard we are to go over the top tomorrow at 6am. On 15 September 1916; This has been a hard day for me. We started for the Hun alright. My friend Jim and I together and then within a few yards of the trench something burst behind me and I went down. Jim rushed to my aid, but I waved him away. I crawled into a shell hole - took off my boot and sock - ankle smashed, terrible pain.

What Jim failed to mention is that he had a lucky escape from death as the grenade that he was holding in his hand with the pin already pulled did not go off! The following day he was in an ambulance train to the Walton-on-Thames Hospital in England. Jim's recovery was slow. He was taken on many outings and did speak with the King and Queen.

Once well enough to travel he was shipped home to the Epsom Convalescent Home for men in Auckland. Soon after, he married his childhood sweetheart, Maggie Magee. Jim was a Scottish Presbyterian and Maggie an Irish Catholic. Jim and Maggie lived in Hikurangi and raised four children. Jim was recognised by the Queen as an MBE for his work in helping families of soldiers to obtain service pensions. Jim passed away 15 May 1973.InterviewerDebbie McCauley

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Threads of Memory - Sandra Culham - 2015 - James Joseph Hamilton Nisbet (1895-1973)

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Archive Items

WWI diary of James Joseph Hamilton Nisbet

Sandra Culham: Threads of Memories (2015)

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Sandra Culham: Threads of Memories (2015)