Studio portrait of 3941 Private (Pte) James Edward Spooner, 60th Battalion from West Brunswick, ...

Studio portrait of 3941 Private (Pte) James Edward Spooner, 60th Battalion from West Brunswick, Victoria. A 25 year old boxmaker prior to enlisting on 12 July 1915, he embarked for overseas with the 12th Reinforcements of the 7th Battalion from Melbourne on 23 November 1915 aboard HMAT Ceramic. After a period of training, he transferred to the 59th Battalion and then to the 60th Battalion to join his older brother, 2663 Pte Edward Mason Spooner. While serving with the 60th Battalion, he was killed at the Battle of Fromelles on 19 July 1916 and is commemorated on the VC Corner Australian Cemetery and Memorial, Formelles, France. His father, 2663 Pte Edward Mason Spooner was fatally wounded at Fromelles, dying in hospital in England on 31 July 1916. [See image H06136] The following notice appeared in the Melbourne Age 31 July 1918: SPOONER. — In loving memory of my dearly beloved husband and father, Private Edward Mason Spooner, who died of wounds, 31st July, 1916, also my beloved eldest son and brother, Private James Edward Spooner, killed in action, 19th July, 1916. Father and son united.
Gone are the faces we loved so dear,
Silent the voices we long to hear;
A painful shock, a blow severe,
To part with the ones we love so dear.
— Inserted, by his loving wife, mother, and family, Mountfield-street, East Brunswick.