Name
James Beverley Metcalfe (DSO, MC)
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
25/04/1918
30
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Major
Australian Army Medical Corps
10th Field Amb
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Distinguished Service Order, Military Cross
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
VIGNACOURT BRITISH CEMETERY
I. F. 14.
France
Headstone Inscription
NOT GONE FROM MEMORY NOR LOVE BUT GONE TO OUR FATHER'S HOME ABOVE
UK & Other Memorials
Digswell House Australian Hospital Memorial, St John's Church, Digswell
Pre War
James Beveley Metcalfe was born in Norfolk Island, New South Wales, the son of Peter and Janet Metcalfe. He lived at Wellington, New South Wales and was a medical practitioner. His parents later lived at 43 Pine Street, Randwick, Sydney.
Wartime Service
He enlisted on 10 November 1915 and served with the Australian Army Medical Corps. His unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales on SS Makarini on 1 April 1916.
He was mentioned in despatches on 31 October 1916 for his "coolness and dedication in handling stretcher bearers for a fortnight under continual fire". He was admitted to hospital in France on 17 November 1916 and discharged 8 days later, returning to the 14th Field Ambulance, and again admitted to hospital in London whilst on leave there in December.
He was awarded the Military Cross on 1 January 1917 for "distinguished service in the field" and promoted to Major on 26 January 1917. He was wounded in action on 25 September 1917 near Polygon Wood and evacuated to England, returning to France on 31 March 1918.
He received the Distinguished Service Order posthumously for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty under heavy bombardment. He died when two shells came into the dressing room where he was tending the wounded, severely wounding him, and he died the following day.
Additional Information
Brother of Captain Francis Bramall Metcalfe, also a Dr, who died of wounds in London on 6 .19.1917. His mother, Mrs J A Metcalfe of 48 Pine Street, Randwick, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, ordered his headstone inscription: "NOT GONE FROM MEMORY NOR LOVE BUT GONE TO OUR FATHER'S HOME ABOVE"
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
www.niwarmemorial, www.aif.adfa.edu.au
