Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

JAMES Paul Reuben MB BS

1916-1983

Paul Rueben James was born, on 7th November 1916, in Hyde Park, South Australia. His parents were Reuben James and Bessie, nee Pomroy; he had two sisters Ruth and Gwendoline. He was educated at Prince Alfred College where he served in the Army Cadets for three years.  James studied medicine at the University of Adelaide, graduating MB BS in 1941.

James enlisted at Wayville South Australia on 31st October 1941. He was single and gave as his next of kin his father who was living at Barmera, South Australia. He was called up for full-time duty in the CMF on the 28th January 1942. He claimed to have been involved in the medical examination of 1,788 Japanese Internees from the Netherlands East Indies who arrived in Adelaide on or about 24th January 1942, on SS Cremer. Although this could not be confirmed, his records do not dispute the information. However, it is confirmed by the department of defence that the Cremer did arrive in Adelaide with Japanese internees. He married on 16th January 1942 and changed his next of kin details to his wife, Marie Patricia, at 16 Sussex Street, Glenelg in 1942. He was transferred to the AIF on 13th July 1942 and posted to 6 Lt FdAmb on 19th September 1942. He was detached to 115 AGH, on 24th November 1942 as a psychiatrist. During early 1942 he was attached to several different units, and on 3rd August 1943, he was detached to 2/9th Armoured Regt. James attended Trg Schools on Jungle Warfare and the MO Gas Warfare School, in June and August 1943. He was allotted to 114 AGH as a psychiatrist on 3rd July 1944. He left Brisbane for Hollandia on 3rd August 1944, and in September he was posted in Nadzab, Lae, Finschhafen, and Hollandia. He re-joined his unit now titled 106 FdAmb on 15th September 1944. He returned to Brisbane from Nadzab on 2nd November 1944. He was admitted to 114 AGH with appendicitis on 22nd November 1945. James was transferred to 111 AGH on 31st January 1946, and then to 80 Camp Hospital, on 27th May 1946. He was taken on the strength of L o C 3 MD, in January 1947, and later to the Australian Military Force Wing at the Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital, Victoria, in May 1947, where he accessed additional training before discharge. James’ appointment was terminated on 22nd March 1948, and he was transferred to the Reserve of Officers. 

He continued to work after the war at the Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital in Victoria. It was reported in the Herald newspaper that Dr Paul Reuben James had stated that he had been dismissed from the hospital, with only ten days’ notice. He surmised that it followed a speech he had made to the Australian Peace Council, an organisation he actively supported, and which had some relationship with the communists, at which Federal security police were present. James went on to say he was not a member of the Communist Party or any political party. He lost his case as Canberra authorities said the Repatriation Department could dismiss a temporary employee. Paul Reuben James died on 27th May 1983 was cremated at Springvale Botanical Cemetery.

Source

Blood, Sweat and Fears III: Medical Practitioners South Australia, who Served in World War 2. 

Swain, Jelly, Verco, Summers. Open Books Howden, Adelaide 2019. 

Uploaded by Annette Summers AO RFD