Informal portrait of 67472 Corporal (Cpl) James Logan Graham, RAAF, standing beside a memorial ...

Informal portrait of 67472 Corporal (Cpl) James Logan Graham, RAAF, standing beside a memorial panel. Cpl Graham, of Lakemba, NSW, enlisted on 15 July 1942 and was mustered as a Driver. He attended No 2 Bomb and Gunnery School at Port Pirie from 9 August to 4 January 1943 where he was assigned to the Transport Section. On 4 January he was transferred to 62 Works Wing Headquarters (which controlled the RAAF's various Airfield and Works Construction Units). He was promoted to Leading Aircraftman (LAC) on 1 February and on 2 March embarked with his unit from Sydney via Brisbane and Townsville in convoy for Port Moresby, aboard an American Liberty ship with RAN and USN protection. At Brisbane Graham transferred to HMAS Arunta. After disembarking, he was assigned to airfield protection with a machine gun squad. For the next four months his unit was based at Port Moresby, repairing airfields and enduring Japanese air raids. Graham was also involved in the movement of transport taking troops up to the start of the Kokoda Trail. On 1 September 62 Works Wing HQ transferred to Goodenough Island where LAC Graham undertook driving and transport tasks. A month later, however, a glandular cyst was discovered in his neck and he was transferred back to Australia, receiving treatment at No 3 RAAF Hospital at Concord, NSW. After convalescence, he was posted to a variety of stations, including 5 Aircraft Depot, Forrest Hill, Wagga (from 9 November 1943), 38 Squadron, Richmond (from 11 May 1944); No 1 Personnel Depot, Ransford (from 11 August 1944); and 76 Wing HQ, Darwin (from 26 September 1944 until 22 November 1945). He remained in Darwin after the cessation of hostilities to assist with the transport and reception of Australian prisoners of war from Singapore.