17 Facts About James Heane

James Heane was born in Sydney, New South Wales, on 29 December 1874, the son of Emily and her husband, a James Heane, both of whom were immigrants from England.

James Heane received his schooling at Dubbo Superior Public School and then Sydney Boys High School.

James Heane later took up farming in the Dubbo district.

James Heane had previously served in the Cadet Corps for five years.

When compulsory military training was introduced in Australia in 1910, James Heane was appointed area officer in Dubbo.

On 3 September 1914, James Heane was appointed to the Australian Imperial Force with the rank of captain as a company commander in the 4th Infantry Battalion.

James Heane went ashore at Anzac late in the morning of 25 April 1915 and formed Major General William Bridges last reserve until it was committed to the fighting at Lone Pine late in the afternoon.

James Heane earned the nickname "Cast Iron Jimmy" for his gallantry under fire in the fighting at Lone Pine on the 26th, when the 4th Battalion moved across the 400 Plateau and occupied Johnson's Jolly for a time, James Heane returning from there after dark.

James Heane was wounded three times: in the thumb on 2 July; in the mouth; and then in the attack on Lone Pine on 7 August 1915.

James Heane was wounded so badly at Lone Pine that he was evacuated and hospitalised finally rejoining his battalion at Tel el Kebir, Egypt, in January 1916.

James Heane was promoted to lieutenant colonel and given command of the 1st Infantry Battalion, which he took to the Western Front.

James Heane rejoined his unit in January 1917, and led in his brigade the Battles of Bullecourt, Menin Road, Broodseinde, Passchendaele, Lys, Lihons and Chuignes.

In March 1919, James Heane took over the 1st Division Demobilisation Group at Tidworth Camp.

James Heane returned to Australia where his appointment to the AIF ended on 7 January 1920.

James Heane was honorary colonel of the 4th Battalion from 1926 until he was transferred to the retired list as an honorary brigadier in 1935.

James Heane settled on a large citrus orchard in West Pennant Hills, New South Wales.

James Heane died on 20 August 1954 and was cremated.