Originally from Monmouthshire in North Wales, Jimmy James moved to lodgings in London as a young man and was working in an estate agent’s office in Rickmansworth when war was declared. Enlisting in the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment in January 1940 (5950427), he was with the 16th DLI from the start in July 1940. Rapidly promoted to Signal Platoon Sergeant,.
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Click here to see two 1940 photographs.
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Jimmy was CQMS (Colour Quartermaster Sergeant) of D Company in 1942-43 and was a Company Sergeant Major at the time of the Salerno Landings in September 1943. Note the signature on the postcard of Lt F Duffy, who, later became the D Company CO and was awarded the MC. Courtesy Jimmy James.
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