Mr P. F. Cosgrove, Harper Street, has been advised that his youngest brother, Private James Cosgrove, aged 21, was killed in action in France, in October 8. Private Cosgrove had seen over twelve months campaigning. Five months ago he was severely wounded, and was expected home at any date, but with good care and attention in England he was able to return again to active service. He had only been back in the firing line three days when he was killed. Private Cosgrove was a cheerful, obliging and popular young fellow. Prior to his enlisting he was employed by his brother at the West End Butchery. He was also a member |or the Celtic Football Club, the members of which combination learned of his death with very deep regret. -Timaru Herald, 28/10/1918.
James Cosgrove was wounded in the abortive attack on Polderhoek Chateau on December 3rd, 1917. As had happened in the even more disastrous attack on Bellevue Spur the previous October, men of the Otago Infantry Regiment were mistakenly fired on by their own artillery and, on reaching the German line, were met with machine gun fire from fortified positions.
James took a bullet in his chest and was out of the line for five months. In March, 1918, he was back "somewhere in France" with the Otagos.
August 8th was called by German generals the "black day" for the German Army. Allied forces attacked in strength and 400 tanks were used. It was a long fall from the heights of success earlier in the year when it looked like their Spring offensive might win the war before American troops could arrive to tip the balance against them.
James survived this battle, and also the Battle of Bapaume, which liberated a French town occupied by the enemy since 1914.
James was killed in action on a day whose actions are not recorded in the Otagos' Official History. Possible he was the victim of a German sniper. He was buried in the Anneux British Cemetery, Nord, France.
Pleasant Point Cemetery.
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