Also named on Toowoomba Mothers’ Memorial and Crows Nest War Memorial.
Brother of 1566 Trooper George Gavin, 2341 Trooper John Joseph Gavin, 3261 Private Patrick Joseph Gavin and 3262 Private Stephen Gavin.
James Gavin arrived in France from Egypt in June 1916. Three weeks later he was killed in action at Fromelles. AIF casualties were 5,533 officers and men killed, wounded and missing. It remains the worst 24 hours in Australian military history.
About 100 Australians killed that day, including James Gavin, were buried at Eaton Hall Cemetery later re-named Rue-Petillon Military Cemetery.