Alexander Muir NIMMO
Per his military service record (Depot), Alexander Muir Nimmo was born at Katoomba, N.S.W.[1] He gave his age as 26 years and 2 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as letter carrier. His description on his Certificate of Medical Examination was height 5 feet 3 ½ inches tall, [weight not recorded], with a fair complexion, blue eyes, and brown hair. His religious denomination was Presbyterian. He claimed that he had no previous military service.
He listed his next of kin on his Attestation Paper as his father, Joseph Nimmo, Parke Street, Katoomba, N.S.W.
His postal address on his initial Application to Enlist in the Australian Imperial Force form was Parke Street, Katoomba.
The Oath to be taken by person being enlisted section on his Attestation Paper was signed by Lieutenant F. Middenway at Katoomba on 5th November 1915 at Katoomba (the day to Coo-ees arrived at Katoomba). He completed his medical examination on the 6th November 1915 at Katoomba. The Certificate of Attesting Officer section of his Attestation Paper was signed by Lieutenant Edward F. Shaw on 13th November 1915.
‘Alex M. Nimmo’ was named in The Blue Mountain Echo as one of the recruits who joined the Coo-ees at Katoomba.[2]
After completing the Coo-ee March he went to Liverpool Camp as reinforcement for the 13th Battalion.
Private Nimmo, along with several other local Coo-ees, including Privates Trow, Davis, Pettigrew, Perkins, Hayes, Duff, and Mason, was given a send-off at the Empire Theatre in Katoomba on Wednesday evening 15th December 1915, where Mayor James presented them with medals, and ‘spoke highly of the courage of the boys who marched away with the Coo-ees, and wished them every luck in the great fight they were undertaking’.[3] The Blue Mountain Echo reported that ‘Private Alex Nimmo responded on behalf of the departing soldiers, voicing a very appropriate appreciation’.[4]
On 17th December 1915, Private Nimmo was charged by the Civil Police in Sydney for traveling in a railway car without paying the fare. He was fined 5 shillings.
Two months later, on 17th February 1916 Private Nimmo went before a medical board at Liverpool Camp, where he was diagnosed to be medically unfit not due to misdconduct.
Private Nimmo was discharged from the A.I.F. on 22nd February 1916 medically unfit.
[1] NAA: B2455, NIMMO ALEXANDER MUIR
[2] MARCH O’ER THE MOUNTAINS. (1915, November 12). The Blue Mountain Echo (NSW : 1909 – 1928), pp. 2-3. Retrieved September 21, 2015, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article108042142
[3] Benefit to Our Boys. (1915, December 17). The Blue Mountain Echo (NSW : 1909 – 1928), p. 6. Retrieved April 7, 2018, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article108041454
[4] Benefit to Our Boys. (1915, December 17). The Blue Mountain Echo (NSW : 1909 – 1928), p. 6. Retrieved April 7, 2018, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article108041454
1915 Coo-ee March 