CAWLEY, Jesse


No.S/3770 , Private, Jesse CAWLEY
Aged 32
no medals

Australian Imperial Force Pioneers
Believed to have died in Australia 15 May 1917


Born in Steeple Bumpstead on 3rd December 1884 in Hempstead, Essex (qtr 4 Saffron Walden 4a:590) son of Stephen and Naomi CAWLEY (née HERSOM). Baptised in St Mary's Steeple Bumpstead on 8th February 1885

1891 census...Aged 6, he was at High Street, Hempstead with his father Stephen CAWLEY [31] a grocer/baker/draper/general dealer, born Bardwell; his mother Naomi [33] born London; brothers Ernest B [7] and Francis [6 months], sister Margaret [3] all born in Steeple Bumpstead and uncle William CAWLEY 1[13] born Bardwell.

1901 census...Aged 16,(a ? assistant) he was at 6 Reed's Buildings, Northgate Street, Bury St.Edmunds with his father, now a paper hanger; brother Ernest B a factory hand, brother Francis and brother Cecil H [7] born Hornchurch and sister Elsie [5] born Bardwell and sister Elizabeth [2] born in Bury St.Edmunds. His mother has not been found in this census

1911 census...Aged 20, he was a shop assistant, boarding at 73 Park Crescent, Clapham Park Road, London . Still at 6 Reed's Buildings were his parents (father now house painter); brothers Francis, a tailor's trimmer, Ernest Burrows, draper's porter, Cecil Hersom, clothing shop assistant, sisters Elsie a nursemaid and Elizabeth [12]

The pension card has his mother at 6 Reed's Buildings, Northgate Street, Bury St.Edmunds, later at Chevington nr Bury St.Edmunds.


Possibly the J Cawley leaving London on the SS Macedonia for Gibraltar on 2th June 1913.

His brother Francis died in UK in a Military Hospital in 1916 see here


He enlisted in Adelaide, on 10th April 1916 in Base Depot Infantry, "B" Coy #S3770. Gave his age as 31 years 3 months, born Steeple Bumpstead, a driver, next of kin his mother Naomi CAWLEY 6 Reed's Buildngs, Bury St.Edmunds. He was 5 feet 4.75 inches tall, weighed 128 lbs, chest 31.5 to 36 inches, grey eyes, light brown hair, Church of England. Transferred to "A" Coy Base Infantry on 16th May 1916. 20th May 1916 examined and found to be suffering from a mental delusionary condition. June confined at mental Hospital, Parkside and recommended he be detained there until further orders. Condition not attributable to or aggravated by military service.
He was discharged "having been found medically unfit for further service, not due to misconduct" on 13th November 1916


Jesse Cawley is believed to be buried in West Terrace Cemetery, Adelaide..Road 5, Path 7, Aspect W, Site Number 33


He does not appear on CWGC or Australian War Graves lists

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