James enlisted with the Kent Regiment in October of 1939. James transferred to the Royal Canadian Regiment in London in November 1939 and went overseas 14 December 1939 with the 1^st Canadian Division. James served in North Africa, where he contracted Malaria. He also served in Sicily; Italy, Belgium, Holland and Germany. James was wounded in the chest while fighting in Italy with the RCR CDN 18/01/45(P).

While in England, he got married and they had two daughters. It was reported in the CDN 29/05/45(P) that James was home on a 30 day leave and it was expected that his wife and children were to reach Canada, “in a few months”. It was due to James’ long service that he was returned from overseas early. It appeared as though the Canadian Military were not going to repeat their mistakes of the Great War again.  The CDN 16/09/46 reported that his wife Amy and daughter arrived in Canada on the Queen Mary, making her last repatriation cruise when she arrived in Halifax.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Sources	IODE(P), PSUC-RH, CFF-FD44, KCFA, VR(P), PSCRB, CC-RH
Supplemental Information	Born in 1918 the son of Mrs. W. B. Chalmers and the late Mr. Chalmers of 19 Wade St., Chatham, ON. James attended Queen Mary Public School and Chatham Vocational School prior to the outbreak of war.

Birthplace	Chatham, Ontario
Marital Status	Married
When Enlisted	November 1939
Next of Kin	Wife- Mrs. Amy Chalmers

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