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James Vivian Mansell

James_Mansell_DA13990.jpg
James Vivian Mansell

A gunshot wound forced Lance Corporal James Mansell out of the war.

Tasmanian Aboriginal soldier Lance Corporal James Vivian Mansell was wounded in action at Messines, France, in June 1917.

James Mansell was born on Cape Barren Island, Tasmania, in 1897. According to his enlistment records, he was 18 years and 11 months on 14 December 1915, and it was recorded that he was a “Nat born British subject”. Aunty Isabella Smith of Cape Barren Island signed as his guardian and granted consent for Mansell to serve.

Private Mansell joined the 52nd Battalion at Etaples, France on 17 August 1916. On 21 May 1917, Private Mansell became a Lance Corporal. 

A medical report dated 3 July 1917 stated that Lance Corporal Mansell was “temporarily unfit for general and home service for six months” due to:

  1. Right upper arm – a large unhealed wound 2 inches by 3 inches. Right deltoid leading through to a second wound in anterior surface of the arm. No bone injury.
  2. Right forearm – two unhealed wounds leading down to the bone.

On 19 July 1917, Lance Corporal Mansell returned to Australia. 

Captain T Goddard at the Claremont Camp reported on 12 November 1917 that Lance Corporal Mansell was still weak in the shoulder, had a slight wrist drop and could not close his hand. Lance Corporal Mansell was reported as “unfit for general service” and “unfit for home service” for six months.

Lance Corporal Mansell was admitted to hospital on 11 January 1918. 

By 19 March 1918, Lance Corporal Mansell was anxious to be discharged from hospital. Medical staff reported his wound had completely healed but there was some loss of power in the fingers of his right hand. 

James Mansell also served in World War Two and was awarded the War Medal 1939-1945 and Australian Service Medal 1939-1945. James also served in World War Two.