Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

This excerpt is taken from the "Autobiography of James W Leo" and helps explain his inclusion in the WW2 defence roll.

"War had broken out and my repeated applications to enlist with the fighting forces had been refused because I was in a protected industry.(South Australian Railways). My only alternative was to join the Voluntary Defence Corps where I was later credited with four years and 113 days of service, during the war. I also became involved in raising funds for the Fighting Forces Comforts Fund, in a vaudeville and revue company. We were fortunate in having as our directors, two professional people who had been with J.C. Williamson, at the Tivoliin Adelaide, who coached us in stage production."

Throughout the War James worked in the South Australian Railways who played a significant role in the transport of munitions, machines, supplies and personnel.