IT took more than five long years for Cordelia Sinden Martin to receive official notice that her husband, James Thiele, had lost his life fighting in World War I.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Despite James being killed in a battle near the Somme in France on November 14, 1916, Cordelia didn't receive notice until February 8, 1922.
The murky details of James' death are typical of WWI and the huge number of casualties sustained.
James' great-granddaughter, Harrington resident Leanne Green, said they believed James had died from a gunshot wound.
Click here to see more of The Faces of Anzac
He is thought to be buried near the Gird Trench in an unknown grave site.
James was 41 at the time of his death.
He enlisted in the army on November 11, 1915, leaving behind Cordelia and three young children in Wingham.
He spent time training in England before being deployed to the muddy battlefields of France as part of the 5th Bridge, 19th Battalion.
For Leanne, having a WWI soldier in the family has become a point of pride.
"I didn't appreciate it until I was a bit older," Leanne said of her great-grandfather.
Leanne travelled to France last year on Anzac Day, and said she found the trip extra special due to their World War I link.
"When we were going to France we found it much more fulfilling, knowing the history about James," she said.
With James never coming back from the war, the Wingham community rallied behind Cordelia and the children, building them a house.
It was a remarkable community acknowledgement of the sacrifices that men like James had made.
"The community really looked after the family," said Leanne.
"Leaving a young family... it was a big sacrifice."
James’s picture is one of nearly 1000 Faces of Anzacs featured in a national commemoration by Fairfax Media to mark the centenary of the Gallipoli landing in WWI.
The Faces of Anzacs tribute wall contains profiles contributed by hundreds of readers around the country and internationally and compiled by Fairfax’s regional, community and agricultural mastheads.
The wall, searchable by name and location, honours Diggers who served in the Great War; those who returned and those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
For more local coverage check our 100 Years of Anzac feature. The feature has local veteran stories, and will be updated with local Anzac Day photos and stories over the weekend.
