JUDGE, Jesse

Jesse, the son of Jesse and Rose Judge, was born in 1888 at Goomoorah, near Inverell. He was a twenty seven year old labourer living at Coolatai when he enlisted at Inverell on 12 January 1916 and joined the First Contingent of The Kurrajongs. He was one of a group of recruits photographed together prior to their departure from Inverell for the Narrabri camp.

When the Kurrajongs were moved to the Armidale Camp, he became a member of the 33rd Battalion, C Company, and trained at Armidale and Rutherford before leaving Australia with the 3rd Reinforcements on the HMAT Port Sydney in September 1916. Jesse served in France and was appointed Lance Corporal in 1917. In March the following year he was wounded at Rouen and died two days later. He was buried at St. Sever Cemetery, Rouen, France.

Lance Corporal Judge is remembered at Inverell where his name is inscribed on the Inverell Honor Roll and the Cenotaph. He was one of the 215 men for whom a memorial tree was planted in Kurrajong Parade, Inverell. After the War his friend Hector Clarke organised a Memorial Honor Roll at Coolatai which includes Jesse's name. Jesse is also named on the nearby Wallangra Honor Roll. 

Photo: Private collection