James enlisted in Citizen Military Force (Reserves) on 12 May 1942 and was posted to 31st Infantry Training Battalion on 16 May 1942. He was posted to 29/46th Battalion on 30 Jan 1943 and transferred to the A.I.F. on 4 Feb 1942. He was appointed Lance Corporal on 26 Oct 1942 and was posted to 1st Australian Commando Training Squadron on 25 Feb 1943. He joined the unit on 15 May 1943 and embarked with the unit for New Guinea as a Lance Corporal in No 1 Section, “A” Troop aboard S.S. “DUNTROON” on 17 Jun 1943 and returned to Australia with them aboard “TAROONA” on 3 Sept 1944. He was appointed paid Lance Corporal on 25 Jan 1945.
After leave and reorganization, he embarked for New Britain aboard “TAROONA” on 9 Apr 1945 with the unit as a Lance Corporal in No 1 Section, “A” Troop.
He transferred to 53rd Port Craft Company on 26 Dec 1945, then to 4th Ordnance Small Craft Park on 22 Jan 1946. Promoted to Corporal (Coxswain) on 23 Mar 1946. He returned to Australia aboard "WESTRALIA" on 2 May 1946 and was discharged 21 Jun 1946.
He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below. He is now also entitled to the Australian Service Medal 1945-75 with a clasp "S.W.Pacific".
Edited by Peter Epps
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