Trooper

James Werner Magnusson

AM

Awards

Conflict: 
WW1
Additional Information: 

Son of Carl J. Fretiof Magnusson, of St. Pauligatan, 23, Orgoyte, Gothenburg, Sweden. Served in Egypt, 1915-17, and at Gallipoli.

References:
  • CWGC
  • Archives New Zealand
NZ WAR GRAVES

Biographical Notes:

"The Albert Medal has been awarded to Trooper James Werner Magnusson, of the New Zealand Mounteds. On the occasion of the loss of a transport he dived into the rough sea and swam to the assistance of an injured soldier and placed him in a boat. He returned to the sinking ship and rejoined his unit, but lost his life."

[Manawatu Times, Volume XL, Issue 13832, 11 March 1918, Page 5]

But there is a longer story.

James had served at Gallipoli and Egypt. Judging by his service record, he certainly liked his drink and had been charged more than once with drunkeness and causing affray,  In Egypt, while on sentry duty, had a "set to" with an officer, called him a few names and was arrested and courts martialled. Sentenced to 9 months hard labour, he was returned to NZ to serve the sentence at Dunedin prison. On his release, he was sent back to Egypt via England, to rejoin his unit. However, on the leg from the UK to Egypt. the SS Transylvania was torpedoed and James was killed.

The citation for his Albert Medal reads:

" Magnusson, who was on the deck of the Transport, saw an injured soldier struggling in the water, and immediately dived overboard, although there was a very rough sea, swam to his assistance, and succeeded in placing him in a boat. Magnusson then returned to the sinking ship and rejoined his unit. His life was lost."

 

Public Contributions:

There are no public contributions written for this casualty

Personal Tributes:

Casualty

Service Number: 
13/927
Name:
James Werner Magnusson
Rank: 
Trooper
Date of Birth:
Not known
Next of Kin: 
Mrs Aronsina Anderson (aunt), Ganlestadens, Arb-Bastadens, Gothenborg, Sweden|Mrs Aronsina Anderson (aunt), Gamlestadens Arb, Costader No. 3, Gothenburg, Sweden
Date of Enlistment:
Not known
Enlistment Address: 
Seaview, Auckland, New Zealand
Occupation on Enlistment:
Unknown occupation|Sailor
Unit:
NZEF, New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade, Auckland Mounted Rifles

Casualty Details

Cause of Death:
Date of Death:
04 May 1917
Day of Death:
Friday
Conflict: 
WW1

Embarkation Details

Bodies of Embarkation:

4th Reinforcements
New Zealand Expeditionary Force
Places of Embarkation:

Wellington, New Zealand
Wellington, New Zealand
Transport:

HMNZT 21
HMNZT 22
HMNZT 23
HMNZT 75
Vessels:

Willochra or Knight Templar or Waitomo
Waitemata
Destinations:

Suez, Egypt
Plymouth, England

Text in italics supplied by Cenotaph Online, Auckland War Memorial Museum

Cemetery

Cemetery Location: 
New Zealand
James Werner Magnusson
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