Private James J Rogerson, Sx3730. (B3. B. 16.)

[Matt in Oz]

Hi all..

My name is Matt Rendell and I live in Adelaide South Australia..

I joined up so I could tell you this story.. I believe this is the page where somebody may be interested..

For all of my life a photo of a "family relative" who died in WWII has hung on our wall.. He is somehow vaguely related to my father..

We have always had this picture, and it currently hangs above my own fathers Service Record and a photo of his father on his Light Horse (Reserve)..

His name is "Jim Rogerson".. Up until yesterday (as my father has passed on and so has most of his family) that was all we ever knew.

With a little googling, and a quick discussion about know facts, we are 100% sure its Private JAMES J ROGERSON, SX3730. (B3. B. 16.)

He was an older guy when he joined up, hence being a Private at 38.. He is also from the right area and his family still are around somewhere in Kilkenny South Australia..

ROGERSON, Private, JAMES, SX3730. A.LF. 2 27 Bn. Australian Infantry. 7th September 1942. Age 38. Son of John and Mary Rogerson, of Kilkenny, South Australia. B3. B. 16.

He is listed on panel 55 at the War Memorial in Canberra.

I am doing my best to scan his photo.. Its a portrait shot of him in uniform with slouch hat on!!

It would be nice if any of you were so inclined, to wander down and say a quite hi to him for us.. Let him know somebody does remember him hey.. I never met him, I do not directly know his family.. But I understand what he gave up..

I hope to one day get there to say Hi myself..

Does anyone have the link to the "online memorial" page I have seen, where I can post his picture? I am hoping to also track down his family to ensure they have a copy of the photo..

thanks

Matt R

[mikmac1959]

G'day Matt, Welcome to the forum. Very interesting story. This is a great thing you are doing. I am just a little confused about saying hi to him, do you mean at The Canberra War Memorial? Do you know any of his Army record ? I know you can go on line and request his service record, I have done this for my wives grandfather, my two grandfathers, and now two of my uncles. costs about $25 each.regards Mike

[Matt in Oz]

Hi Mike

Jim is in Bomona Cemetery, (B3. B. 16.)

Its nice to finally know where is he resting..

Hopefully I can find his family and make sure they have a copy of the wonderful photo we have of him..

Cheers

[mikmac1959]

Yea good on ya Matt,

I am sure there will now be some trekkers who will visit him in Bomana,

I had the huge honour of being there in 2007.

hard to put in words, below is a part of a poem i wrote about Bruce Kingsbury, about as close as I can go to putting the feeling in words.

But on arrival at Bomana cemetery,

I soon was aware

There is nothing I’ve seen before,

can ever compare.

Lines of white head stones,

of our courageous dead,

Head in my hands,

once more tears were shed.

Nearly four thousand grave stones,

set the scene,

No doubt the most awesome place,

I’ve ever been.

[mikmac1959]

_{G'day again MAtt, your story intrigued me, not sure if you know much about were james was killed. I looked in the fabulous book of Bill James, Field guide to Kokoda, and found on page 257 that he was one of 39 killed in Action at the Battle of Mission Ridge. He was amongst 10 killed on 7\9\42. hope this helps fill in a few gaps, if you were not already aware. What a great man, lest we forget mike}

[Matt in Oz]

http://trove.nla.gov…<br /><br />

It appears Jim was also wounded in approx June 1941 (SX3730)

And here, in an Adelaide newspaper clipping from September 7th 1946 (4 years after jim was KIA), a memorial notice from his family..

the thing that was most touching to me is the amount of OTHER memorial notices (approx FIVE others I can see, possibly more) for other Diggers killed over the 6/7/8th Sept in N.G., from South Australia..

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/35754634

Thanks heaps for the info.. Im going to try to scan his pic and put it up..

Cheers

[Matt in Oz]

Yea good on ya Matt,

"mikmac1959 below is a part of a poem i wrote about Bruce Kingsbury, about as close as I can go to putting the feeling in words."

But on arrival at Bomana cemetery,

I soon was aware

There is nothing I’ve seen before,

can ever compare.

Lines of white head stones,

of our courageous dead,

Head in my hands,

once more tears were shed.

Nearly four thousand grave stones,

set the scene,

No doubt the most awesome place,

I’ve ever been.

Beautiful poem.. touching..

[mikmac1959]

well done Matt, how much do you know about the Battle for Mission Ridge and Brigade Hill ( Butcher Hill as the diggers called it) where James unfortunately lost his life ? There is plenty of information around these days. regards Mike

[Matt in Oz]

hi mate..

I have always heard of Mission Ridge/Brigade Hill.. It was one of the most important battles on Kokoda..

I have read some Army reports and the "Official record".. But will be looking up as much info as i can find.. Im fascinated by this now I have started finding out the details..

I was surprised to find the newspaper post of memorial notices (as per the post above) from the Adelaide Advertiser 4 years later, where there is notices for approx 7 other diggers from Kokoda who were KIA in the same battle..

[Shauno]

Hi Mike

Jim is in Bomona Cemetery, (B3. B. 16.)

Its nice to finally know where is he resting..

Hopefully I can find his family and make sure they have a copy of the wonderful photo we have of him..

Cheers

Hi Matt and Mike.

Matt, thanks for your post. I believe Private James Rogerson was my great uncle. My sister was talking about him to me this week, having previously looked him up at Canberra. I wasn't aware of James but was intrigued enough to google his name and found your post.

My maternal grandmother was the sister to James J Rogerson of Kilkenny, SA.

I understand that my cousins husband recently walked the trail and went to his resting place, so be assured that he has been remembered. My sister recently found his name and placed a poppy into his plaque in Canberra.

I'm told that he was a bit of a larikin and had earlier served in Egypt where he was injured. Perhaps as mentioned in the newspaper.

Matt, if you are reading this I would love to get a copy of that picture. My cousin is also doing a Rogerson family tree and I'm sure she would also be interested in a copy.

Reply or email me shauno65(at)yahoo(dot)com(dot)au

Thanks.

[Matt in Oz]

Hi Shaun..

Ill scan Jim's pic ASAP… He hangs on our wall with my Grandfather on his Lighthorse..

He is somehow related to us somewhere along the line, I would happily get you a copy of his pic. He does have a touch of the lariken look about him.. <img src='http://www.kokodatrail.com.au/forums/public/style_emoticons//wink.png&#8217; class=’bbc_emoticon’ alt=’;)’ />

Cheers

[Matt in Oz]

Tried to email pics, that email bounced back…

cheers

[Shauno]

Thanks Matt, MSG sent.

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