William Brian James
Major-General William Brian 'Digger' James AC AO(MIL) MBE MC FRACS
General Surgeon
14 May 1930 - 16 October 2015
Digger James entered the Royal Military College at Duntroon in 1948 graduating 1951. Having undergone his training as an Infantry Officer he was shortly after sent as an infantry reinforcement Platoon Commander to Korea in late 1952.
On the night of November 7, 1952 whilst on his second patrol as a platoon commander with the 1st Battalion and in the midst of a final assault on the small enemy objective, one of his soldiers stepped on a mine and was killed and four others were also wounded including Digger.
Digger suffered very serious injuries including traumatic amputation of the left foot and multiple complicated compound fractures of the right leg and foot and gunshot wounds to his hands, arms and head. Despite the injuries Digger continued to lead the platoon and after securing the perimeter was instrumental in ensuring the safe evacuation of the wounded and, at his insistence, he was rescued last, more than three hours after the detonation.
Digger was awarded the Military Cross! The citation for his award read: "The example set by Lieutenant James and his leadership, devotion to duty, self-sacrifice and extreme fortitude when in great personal distress was an inspiration to members of his battalion."
He spent 14 months in hospital undertaking intense rehabilitation and Digger then returned to work: it was not long before deciding there was no future for him as an Arms Corps Officer in the regular army.
So he resigned his commission and then undertook medical training at The University of Sydney in 1957, graduating in 1963. He soon rejoined the Army as a medical officer and was posted to a number of military hospitals. When posted to Canberra at Duntroon, the Vietnam war was underway and Digger really wanted to serve again in Vietnam. However his medical corps had determined he was unfit for active service. Unlike any other major in Canberra, Digger was able to obtain an appointment with the then Chief of the General staff Sir Thomas Daly to put his case. So to impress the General of his ability whilst they were sitting together discussing the matter, Digger high jumped to his feet from the sitting position; jumped in the air and landed perfectly on his feet, standing at complete attention, saying: General, can you do that? General Daly relented and changed his mind and made Digger fit to deploy and let him go.
In South Vietnam he commanded the 8th Field Ambulance and was Senior Medical Officer of the 1st Australian Task Force at Nui Dat for 12 months from January 1968 to January 1969. He was awarded the MBE for his outstanding service and was inspirational for the encouragement and personal example he provided to wounded soldiers.
Following Vietnam Service Digger undertook postgraduate training in the UK.
Following his post graduate training in London, Digger James progressed through the ranks of Senior Officers.
During the years as a Senior Military Medical Officer General James was able to positively influence Army and its health services. Just as he was able to influence General Daly to go to Vietnam and later influence and obtain Prime Ministerial approval to provide medical relief and re-establish a health service at the end of the Biafran War in Nigeria, Digger continued to influence Senior Defence Leadership to advance the medical services in the best interest of the Army.
Digger made it clear to young Medical Officers that to be successful in such a role required more than just a medical qualification or clinical knowledge. An RMO needed military leadership skills like any other officer, needed the ability to influence and educate, train and lead the medical platoon, needed the ability to communicate with soldiers in a manner that they understood and respected.
These important skills were not taught in medical school and remain today the skills required of our military medical leaders.
His military career as a senior medical officer culminated in his promotion to Major General; in charge of Health Services for Army and as Surgeon General, the most influential senior Medical Officer. Digger proceeded to have a profound and lifelong influence on the provision of Defence Health Services, and reshaped and modernised the Army Health Services.
Major General James was made an Officer of the Order of Australia for his Services to Defence and Army Health.
The name Digger James has become and will remain synonymous with the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps. The rehabilitation platoon for injured recruits at Kapooka is called the Digger James platoon .The soldiers Club at the military health battalion at Enoggera is called the Digger James Club.
Digger was comfortable and at ease when representing our nation while meeting with the Queen Mother and prime ministers. He was at his best inspiring young Australian soldiers who were aspiring to be particularly army medics.
Digger was inspirational to these junior soldiers explaining to them in real terms the important and vital role that they were going to undertake: a role that truly saved lives.
Throughout his career he went out of his way particularly to meet with wounded soldier veterans. Through his past experiences as a wounded veteran, by his example of a successful military career and through his calm and gentle demeanor, Digger James was able to restore hope and instill confidence into those whose future was uncertain.
He will always be remembered.
Major General Digger James AC AO MBE MC
A man who has truly earned the right to be called
"A great Australian"
Major General Paul Alexander