b. 12/01/1892 Gothenburg, Sweden. d. 04/05/1917 off Italian Coast.
DATE OF AM ACTION: 04/05/1917 off Italian Coast.
James was the son of Carl J. Fretiof Magnusson, of St Pauligatan, 23, Orgoyte, Gothenburg, Sweden. His parents died when he was young and he was looked after by his aunt Aronsina. James emigrated to New Zealand, and settled in Auckland. He then enlisted as a Trooper in the New Zealand Mounted Rifles and served in Gallipoli and then Egypt. He was aboard a transport ship when it was torpedoed off the Italian coast. He became the first New Zealander to be awarded the Albert Medal. His body was lost but he was commemorated on the Provincial Memorial iin Waikumete Cemetery and at the Auckland War Memorial Museum.
AM CITATION:
The KING has been graciously pleased to award the Decoration of the Albert Medal in recognition of the gallant action of Trooper James Werner Magnusson, New Zealand Mounted Rifles, in saving life on the occasion of the loss of a Transport. Magnusson, who was on the deck of the Transport, saw an injured soldier struggling in the water, and immediately dived overboard, although there was a very rough sea, swam to his assistance, and succeeded in placing him in a boat. Magnusson then returned to the sinking ship and rejoined his unit. His life was lost.
BURIAL LOCATION: LOST AT SEA.
NAMED ON AUCKLAND PROVINCIAL MEMORIAL, WAIKUMETE CEMETERY.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.
