James was an early victim of war and survival. While he was a child on the knee, he and his mother were buried beneath a bomb shelter following the detonation of a German parachute mine. This incident, unfortunately saw the death of seven people in the same shelter. The small house in Liverpool was later destroyed in a bombing raid. As a result, they were evacuated to Wales. He was later strafed by two German fighters as he crossed a field with a little friend. A few nights later a German aircraft struck their cabin and crashed onto the road.
After these extremely challenging years, the family migrated to the safety of Australia, settling in NSW, and later Victoria. James was selected for a motor trade apprenticeship but elected to join the Navy. Initially selected for aircrew training he lost out when the government disarmed the Fleet Air Arm. He had an active career nonetheless.
As a member of the RAN, he qualified as a Trainer on Sea Safety, Survival at Sea and general safety and survival subjects. Following his separation from the Navy, with Honours, he moved into the world of commerce and later qualified as a Safety Officer. His next step was with the Commonwealth Police (now the Australian Federal Police (AFP). A highlight being his deployment to Darwin assisting in the evacuation and search and rescue operations following Cyclone Tracy. Following the Hilton Bombing in Sydney, the AFP moved into Counter-Terrorist mode. Completing a Bomb Technician course, James was posted to the Australian Bomb Data Centre as an operational Bomb Technician and spent valuable time in the Research and Development of Bomb Detection and Disposal equipment. Much time was spent in safety training with officers from all parts of Australia, Fiji, PNG, and the USA.
Time spent at AFP Customs Coast watch, as aircrew, CIB and filling the role of Commonwealth Prosecutor.
As a Safety Officer with a high reputation, he was later recruited by Defence as part of the Defence Emergency Management Section. This saw him preparing Procedures and supervising the Bomb Safety Management in Canberra and Southern NSW for Defence Personnel.
James now gives his time to the Combined Defence Support Association, as an Advocate (Wellbeing). The base is within the Veteran Support Office at the RAAFA in Bull Creek and offers a comfortable and confidential surrounding. This is a group declaring Veterans Helping Veterans' and ensuring that no Veteran is left alone and helpless. This group can offer guidance, and assistance where available, to the family and other supporters in establishing claims involving Welfare and/or Compensation (pension, etc).
James has a Bachelor's Degree in Training and Development and Diploma in OHSE. He also has Open Arms recognition in Suicide Intervention.
