Lieutenant James Roy CARGO Clicking on Photo will return to Page C - D

CARGO Second Lieutenant James Roy No. 10/740 11th (Taranaki) Company, Wellington Battalion, New Zealand Expeditionary Force Born 12th February 1892, in East Tamaki, Auckland, NZ Educated: East Tamaki & Auckland Grammar School, NZ Single; Ledger-keeper, Bank of New South Wales, of New Plymouth, Taranaki, NZ Next of Kin listed as: Father; James Cargo. Mother; Belle Cargo, of Church Street, Ponsonby, Auckland, New Zealand Photos of Lieutenant Cargo are known to exist in the following locations: Bank of NSW Roll of Honour p73. Auckland Weekly News 6 May 1915 p39 & 24 Jun 1915 p38. Christchurch Weekly Press 23 Jun 1915 p32. Canterbury Times 7 July 1915.

'James Roy Cargo was born on 12th February, 1892, at East Tamaki, Auckland, New Zealand. His parents were Mr. James Cargo and Mrs. Belle Cargo. He first went to school at East Tamaki and afterwards entered the Auckland Grammar School.
Joining the Bank at Auckland on 26th October, 1910, he worked in that branch for nearly a year, being removed on 9th October, 1911, to Tokomaru Bay. On 1st March 1913, he was transferred to New Plymouth as ledger-keeper.
While at New Plymouth, James Cargo enlisted about 11th August, 1914, with the Main Body. He was assigned to the 11th Taranaki Rifles, Wellington Infantry Battalion, and won promotion to second lieutenant.
He was with his battalion at the Dardanelles, and was killed in action there on 3rd June, 1915. No particulars are available as to the manner of his death.' (BNSW p73).


NOK also listed as: Father; the late James Cargo, of East Taranaki. Mother; Mrs Cargo, of Remuera, Auckland. Educated Auckland Grammar School. Left New Zealand as senior sergeant, was promoted to Lieutenant 'just prior to his departure for the Dardanelles' [from Egypt]. Worked for the Bank of N.S.W. for 5 years prior to the war. Only brother, A. D. Cargo, serving in 5th Reinforcements. (New Zealand Herald 14 June 1915 p7).

'On the 3rd June, Lieut. J.R. Cargo (Taranaki), who had received his promotion in the field, was fatally shot while on duty in the trenches by enfilade fire from a Turkish sniper.' (Cunningham p51). [Wellington Battalion at this time were in Courtney's Post].

Letter from Major Cox, (Officer Commanding Ruahine Company), to his parents, Mr & Mrs E. G. Cox of Wanganui, NZ (no date):
'The casualty list is comparatively small now, but of course there are always a few deaths occurring daily. I lost one of my officers the day we took over these trenches, Lieut. Cargo, of New Plymouth, a splendid fellow, only promoted to commissioned rank a week before.' (Wanganui Herald 14 Aug 1915 p5).

'In Memoriam' notice appears in the New Zealand Herald 15 June 1915 p1:
'CARGO - On June 3, 1915, killed in action at the Dardanelles, Lieutenant James Roy Cargo, son of the late James Cargo, East Taranaki, and Belle Cargo, Remuera, and brother of Mrs Jos. Dunne, Kaukapakapa: aged 23 years.'

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