239084 Pte. James Neate Dark Australian Imperial Forces A Coy. 36th Battalion from:Dungog, New South Wales (d.7th June 1917) James Dark was my father's cousin and brother of Hubert Finlay Dark (also recorded on this site).
He was born in 1896 and enlisted in the 36th Battalion AIF at Broadmeadow (Newcastle, New South Wales) on 15th May 1916. He originally joined C Company but transferred to A Coy in August 1916. His enlistment record says he was 5ft 7.5 inches tall with fair hair and blue eyes.
His father, Stephen, was Shire Clerk in Dungog where James grew up.
James and his brother both embarked for overseas on 17 October 1916 on the ship HMAT Borda A30. They disembarked at Plymouth on 19th January 1917. James travelled from Folkstone to Etaples in France on 26 April with the 3rd Australian Division, before marching out of Etaples on 30 April and joining his unit at the front on 3rd May 1917.
James was killed, hit in the head by a snipers bullet, on the first day of the Messines push, 7th of June 1917 - there are a number of reports in the Red Cross records of the circumstances. One report says "he was killed at Prowse Point and buried at Dead Horse Corner", another says he was buried in No Mans Land and the Divisional Burial Officer's statement of November 1917 says "place of burial is 1 mile SSW of Messines Village and 30 yards west of Messines Road (map reading U8c)." The official Army record states "Map location of grave Section 4B Unit 28 Div U.8.C. Buried ASP 1072 HQ 2nd Anzac".
James' father received his personal effects in April 1918. They consisted of "2 discs, wallet, diary, 3 religious books, mirror, charm on chain, photos, letters, cards". His medals (14/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal) were also forwarded to his father in later years.
A newspaper from Wingham, nearby to his home town, published an obituary on 13 July 1917 including the mention that James was "a prominent footballer", probably Rugby League.
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