Sapper James joined 11st Canadian Field Company, Royal Canadian Engineers in September 1944 and served throughout the campaign as a despatch rider with that unit. Sapper James at all times displayed exceptional devotion to duty and tireless determination in carrying despatches in forward areas. His complete disregard for his personal safety on many occasions resulted in the speeding up of engineer works in dangerous areas and contributed materially to the excellent services rendered by the Royal Canadian Engineers in road clearance and river crossings without which the rapid advance of the division could not have been accomplished. On the crossing of the Twente Canal on 4 April 1945 Sapper James guided bridging vehicles from their harbour area to the site which was being heavily and accurately shelled by the enemy. Several vehicles were knocked out but the despatch rider returned time and again to bring up further supplies, though the only road over which they could be brought was by this time being heavily shelled. He also delivered to his company headquarters numerous despatches on the state of completion of the bridge, the information of which was vital to divisional headquarters fr further planning of the advance. He narrowly escaped being hit by shell fire on several occasions during these runs. The conduct of this soldier throughout the entire campaign in western Europe has been worthy of the highest traditions of his Corps.