LAMONT, James and John

James and John, the sons of James and Isabella Lamont, were born in Scotland. They were farm labourers at the property Kurrajong, Ashford Road, Inverell during World War I.

James, aged thirty one, enlisted at Inverell in 1915, became a member of the 4th Battalion, 15th Reinforcements and was sent to Egypt. After transfer to the 56th Battalion he went to France in June 1916. He was wounded in action in March 1917 and a second time in September when he was sent to England for treatment at Norfolk War Hospital. He had a gunshot wound to his head and the decision was made to return him to Australia for discharge. Just a few months later, James enlisted again and sailed from Sydney on HMAT A41 Bakara for England. He was sent to France in January 1919, serving there for six months until his return to Australia. After the War he lived in the Inverell district.

John enlisted at Inverell in June 1918 when he was twenty-four. He was a married man with two children and agreed to his wife receiving three fifths of his army pay. He joined the New South Wales Reinforcement 22 and sailed from Australia on the ship SS Wyreema in October 1918. Due to the end of the War, the troopship was recalled and he was discharged in December. He returned to live in the Inverell district.

Another brother, Francis, served with the British Army and was killed in action in Egypt in 1918.