James Heane CB CMG DSO (1874 - 1954)

Biography

Brigadier General Jim Heane CB CMG DSO VD was a senior Australian Army officer in the First World War and commander of the Volunteer Defence Corps in New South Wales during the crucial invasion-threat priod of the Second World War. He served Australia as a soldier for 43 years. He was president of the Fruitgrowers' Federation of New South Wales for twenty years.

Formative Years

James Heane was born on 29th December 1874 at Sydney, New South Wales (Australia). He was the eldest son of English emigrants James Heane, grazier and commission agent, and his wife, Emily Tuting.^[1] He was educated at Dubbo Superior Public School and then Sydney Boys High School.

After completing his formal education, Heane became a certified auditor and, later, took up farming in the Dubbo district of New South Wales.

He joined the local militia in 1899 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the 3rd Australian Infantry Regiment. He transferred to the 2nd Light Horse Regiment in 1903.

The Great War

Upon outbreak of the First World War in 1914, Heane was appointed to the Australian Imperial Force with the rank of Captain as a company commander in the 4th Australian Infantry Battalion, 1st Brigade, 1st Division. He was promoted to Major.^[2]

He went ashore at Gallipoli late in the morning of 25th April 1915. During the Gallipoli Campaign Heane was wounded three times, the last of which, at Lone Pine, warranted evacuation and hospitalisation. He rejoined his battalion in January 1916 at Egypt following the evacuation of Gallipoli. Heane earned the nickname "Cast Iron Jimmy" for his gallantry under fire in the fighting at Lone Pine. He was appointed Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) in the 1915 Birthday Honours. He was also Mentioned in Despatches.

Heane was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and given command of the 1st Australian Infantry Battalion^[3], which he took to the Western Front. For his leadership at Pozières, Heane was appointed Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG). In the fighting, the battalion lost 13 officers and 473 other ranks, about half its strength. He was promoted to Colonel and temporary Brigadier General and given command of the 2nd Infantry Brigade on 3rd December 1916. ^[4]

Just four days later, while going up to the front line he was wounded in the head. He was evacuated to England, rejoining his brigade the following month. He led his brigade through the battles of Bullecourt, Menin Road, Broodseinde, Passchendaele, Lys, Lihons and Chuignes in 1917 and 1918. For his services as brigade commander, Heane was appointed Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) and Mentioned in Despatches five more times. He was also awarded the Belgian Croix de Guerre. He transferred to England in March 1919 and commanded the 1st Division Demobilization Group at Tidworth for the next three months.

Life after War

Returning to Australia, his appointment to the AIF ended on 7th January 1920. Heane returned to the militia: commanding the 11th Infantry Brigade in 1920-21 and the 5th Infantry Brigade in 1921-26. He was awarded the Volunteer Officer's Decoration (VD) for more than twenty years service as an officer in the militia.

Using the soldier settlement grant Heane established a large citrus orchard in West Pennant Hills, New South Wales.

On 4th April 1923 in St John's Church of England, Beecroft, New South Wales, he married Edna Dulcie Martyn.^[5]

From 1922 to 1941 Heane was president of the Fruitgrowers' Federation of New South Wales.

Heane remained actively associated with the army. He was honorary colonel of the 4th Battalion from 1926 until he transferred to the retired list as an honorary brigadier in 1935. In 1931, and possibly from the movement's foundation, he held overall command of the Sydney-based Old Guard. Re-activated upon the outbeak of the Second World War he was appointed commander of the Volunteer Defence Corps in New South Wales from 1940 to 1942. Aged 67 years, he finally retired from military duty. He had served in various part-time and full-time capacities for 43 years.

He passed away of cerebral thrombosis on 20th August 1954 at Collaroy, New South Wales, being survived by his wife and their two daughters. He was 79 years of age.^[6]

Sources

1. ↑ New South Wales Birth Index #7/1875
2. ↑ Australian War Memorial unit record: 4th Australian Infantry Battalion; accessed 6 Jun 2018
3. ↑ Australian War Memorial unit record: 1st Australian Infantry Battalion; accessed 6 Jun 2018
4. ↑ Australian War Memorial unit record: 2nd Infantry Brigade; accessed 6 Jun 2018
5. ↑ New South Wales Marriage Index #7495/1923
6. ↑ New South Wales Death Index #19123/1954

See also:

• Williams, J G. Heane, James (1874–1954). Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University accessed 6 Jun 2018.
• Wikidata: Item Q6135806, en:Wikipedia