Private James Graham

James Graham appears to have been born at Bowen, Queensland on 18 December 1896 to parents James and Rosina née Thorne. It is unclear whether he was born in 1896 and the birth registered in 1897 or if he was born in January 1897.

He was the oldest child of ten children, with five younger brothers and four sisters. On 27 January 1916, approximately one week after his 19th birthday, he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force. His youngest sister, Phyllis, was born in 1918 while he was overseas on active service.

Graham enlisted in Townsville and gave his occupation at the time as labourer. He embarked from Brisbane with the 19th reinforcements of the 15th Battalion on 8 August 1916, aboard HMAT Itonus. He went to France on the troopship Princess Victoria from Folkestone, England, with the 15th Battalion on 16 January 1917. He also played the E flat tuba with the 15th Battalion Band. He was sent to hospital with scabies on 17 September 1917 and rejoined the 15th Battalion on 22 November 1917.

Graham was granted leave to the United Kingdom on 19 January 1918 and returned to duty in France on 9 February 1918. He prepared to to return to Australia with his unit on 12 April 1919, and left Le Havre, France, for England on 19 April 1919. Immediately prior to his departure from France, he was again hospitalised with scabies. He left England and returned to Australia aboard HMAT Beltana on 2 June 1919.

Graham married Martha Emily Smith in Queensland on 28 September 1935. He enlisted again in the army on 18 October 1939 at Brisbane, Queensland, and served with the 1 Garrison Battalion until he was discharged on 30 January 1942.

James Graham died in Brisbane, Queensland on 29 November 1959.