| Article | | In March of 1916, Jim and brother Steve, organised an auction to sell off all of their horses and farm machinery. They had been farming at Sheep Station Creek, two miles from Muttama. In April of the same year, a farewell social function was held in Muttama to farewell the local boys who had volunteered for active service. A banquet was held in the Commercial Hotel at Muttama. The list of those present includes S. Loiterton but there is no mention of James. Oddly enough, James was the one who ended up going overseas, whereas, for some unknown reason, Steve was to remain at home.
Jim enlisted the following month at the age of 23 years and joined the 56th Battalion. He was only a small person, being five feet six inches tall and weighing only ten stone. He had a fair complexion with fair hair and blue eyes.
In August 1916, Jim, who had been in the local camp, was in the Goulburn camp and was about to return home on final leave. On 15 September 1916 a farewell for Jim was held at his parent's residence, "Forest Home". His friends and relatives were there "……….to give him a good rousing send-off on his way to the front. A most enjoyable evening was spent - dancing being kept up until the early hours. Jim was wished every success by old friends, and one person was anxious that he should bring back the Kaiser's scalp. The well known hospitality of Mr. and Mrs. Loiterton was well to the fore, and Mrs. Loiterton excelled herself in producing dainties. We all join in giving Jim our heartiest plaudits in his manly action in proceeding to the front to battle for his home and country. He left here on Tuesday night's mail".
On 7 October, Jim embarked from Sydney on board the "Ceramic", arriving at Plymouth six weeks later. A month after arrival he was admitted to Fovant Military Hospital in Wiltshire, where he was placed under observation for tonsillitis. He was discharged three weeks later, and on 8 February 1917, was off to France aboard the "SS Invieta". A mere month later Jim was back in hospital, this time in France, and suffering from a scalp wound and concussion. He was only there for 6 days before rejoining his unit. Just a few weeks after that, he was again sick and back in hospital in Rouen where he was to spend several weeks. It appears that confusion reigned during that particular time as there were conflicting reports. At some stage, Jim was thought to have been missing in action and believed killed, and two weeks later is reported as rejoining his unit. A week after that he was discovered in hospital, where he had apparently been all this time.
In May of 1917, Jim was wounded in action at Bulogne. He received gunshot wounds to both thighs and to his left hand. He was shipped back to England and spent more than 3 months at the Brook War Hospital. He was sent back to Australia aboard the "Ulysses", arriving on 13 November and was discharged a month later. In May of the following year, Private James Henry Loiterton of Jindalee was among the 29 soldiers who were present on the stage of the Cootamundra Town Hall to be welcomed home.
Jim was to remain single, and for many years managed a fleet of fishing boats at Woolgarlowe, on Burrinjuck Dam. He lived a quiet, hermit-like existence there until he died in 1946.2
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OZIGEN - Australian Genealogy