Soldier Spotlight highlights veterans from the Archives’ online Soldiers’ Memorial. Each week, our volunteers select a remarkable individual to showcase in this new blog series. The Soldiers’ Memorial commemorates more than 1,100 WWI veterans and 2,300 WWII veterans from our region. Three dedicated volunteers have contributed over 1,200 hours to this project by researching and writing biographies. Our goal is to have all South Peace soldiers acknowledged for their service. If you know of someone who lived in the South Peace and should be listed on the Memorial, or would like to get involved by researching a local veteran, please contact the Archives.
Regimental Number: 19393
Rank: Private
Branch: 9th Battalion; 14th Battalion; 1st Division Cycle Company; Canadian Corps Cyclist Battalion
James was born in Grenfell, Saskatchewan in March of 1899. He later moved to the Edmonton area with his parents. In order to enlist in the Canadian army in 1914, James lied about his age, stating that he had been born in 1896. In September of 1915 James was put in confinement to await trial for having left his post before being relieved. He was sentenced to six months of hard labor; however, this order was revoked in October. James was engaged in the battle of the Somme, the Second Battle of Ypres, Passchendaele, Mons, and Vimy Ridge, and was awarded the Military Medal for conspicuous bravery. This award was noted in the London Gazette on March 11, 1919.
At some point, possibly while on leave, James met Miss Dorothy Margaret Thomas, a Red Cross volunteer, in London (see a page from her Red Cross records above). Dorothy was an Englishwoman, born in London on September 19, 1901. They were married in the parish church of St. Barnabas Southfields in London in March of 1919. Following the wedding, the sailed for Canada and eventually made their way to the South Peace. In 1923, James filed on a homestead at SE34-70-11-W6, near Halcourt. They remained on the farm for many years and raised seven children.
When World War II was declared in 1939, James once again volunteered to serve. This time he served as a sergeant of the detention barracks in England.
James died in Halcourt on October 4, 1964. After his death, Dorothy moved to Victoria. She died there on July 7, 1990.
Source: Beaverlodge to the Rockies p. 340
