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James was the second of three sons born on the 18th April 1920 to Daisy Chancellor and James (Jas) Sutherland who were sheep farmers at Millicent in the South East of SA. Malcolm had two younger brothers, James and Noel and sisters including Margaret who later became a nurse. Their father, known as Jas was active as a local government representative for several years as well as being elected as leader of the Millicent Caledonian Society in October ‘31, replacing his own father who had previously held the position. Part of that ceremony involved those present having their first taste of haggis, "great chieftain o' the pudding race." The haggis was prepared by a former chief, the delectable concoction being cooked to the proverbial turn. The South Eastern Times reported that ‘For 45 years the name of Sutherland had been identified with the society, either as chief, chieftain, or director. When the late Mr Wm. Sutherland was installed in 1891, he was presented with a gold badge of office, which Mrs Sutherland had generously handed back to the society for presentation to her son on the occasion of his installation. Mr James Sutherland was the first son of a former chief to be elected to the highest office within the gift of the society, and he was also the youngest member to assume the leadership.’
James attended the Millicent Public School where he gained his Qualifying Certificate in ’33 with a creditable 608 marks, one of three students who gained over 600. He was also awarded with a woodwork certificate.
Post school James worked on the family farm whilst also enjoying an active social life, including in the Millicent Caledonian Society where he helped with running events and in the timing of races. The family had grown up knowing of their uncle, Archibald Neil McArthur, who was 36 years of age when he enlisted in 1916 to serve in WWI, fought in England and France, where he gained the rank of sergeant. Wounded in July, 1918, at Morlancourt, Archibald later had to have both legs amputated at the thighs. Repeated unsuccessful attempts were made to equip him with artificial limbs but on his return, he continued with wool classing and lived an active life.
With the outbreak of WWII and perhaps inspired by their uncle who fought in WWI, James and older brother Malcolm, decided to enlist together. In mid-June the two, with a large group of fellow young men from Millicent, headed to Adelaide to join up hopefully in the airforce. The local South Eastern Times mentioning that ‘Others to leave for Adelaide yesterday included two sons of Mr and Mrs Jas. Sutherland, Malcolm and James.’
James had just turned 20 and it was just prior to Malcolm’s 25th birthday and when they were accepted on the 13th July ’40. They were given consecutive numbers, James being SX8881 and Malcolm SX8882. They were allocated to the 2/48th Battalion. (Younger brother, Noel had already started training to be a pilot in September ’39 whilst working for Goldsborough Mort and Company. He was finally accepted in September ’41 to serve with the R.A.A.F. in September ’41 as 417429.)
The brothers’ initial days were spent in the cold of the Pavilions, now part of the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds, before he and other new enlistees headed to Woodside for their preliminary training.
Just prior to Christmas, the brothers were home on a week’s pre-embarkation leave. In typical country fashion, a social was organised at the local Institute Hall for a valedictory and reception celebration. The men honoured included a number who enlisted with Malcolm and James, with several also being in the 2/48th Battalion including, Arthur Bonshor SX8877, Peter McArthur SX8879, Reg Seebohm SX8177 and Gerald Bellinger SX8878. The Hall was at capacity and was the largest gathering of relatives and friends held at Millicent since the war began. The South Eastern Times reported that ‘The guests entered the hall between a guard of honor formed by members of the returned soldiers' volunteer defence corps, while over 300 residents of the town and district stood to receive them.’
In an eulogistic speech the chairman declared that the young men ‘would make the Italians run faster and would give Hitler all he was looking for. The British Empire could not be beaten. Victory was in sight, and their airmen would soon be dropping two bombs for Hitler's one. Their guests that night were "fighting fit," and were a credit to Millicent and to the country they would represent overseas. The news of the retreat of the "Dagoes" was very heartening, but victory over them would not win the war. Britain was fighting practically alone for the preservation of democracy, and her peril was such that a 100 per cent, war effort was necessary to pull her through. Australia would have to do much more than was being done at present. Sixty thousand tons of British shipping had been sunk every week since the war began, all loaded with foodstuffs and supplies for Britain and her armies. If that were not stopped, God help Australia and the democracies. Their guests would help to stop it.’ Additional comments were made that ‘the men of the second A.I.F. would carry the torch high, and not allow it to be extinguished by Hitler. They would crush the false gods of Hitlerism and his demons of lust, and cruelty, and avarice. The experiences of countries overpowered by the Nazi hordes showed clearly that the issue for Australia was victory or slavery. The guests were descendants of a hardy, adventurous race, who came out in leaking sailing ships and wrested prosperity from a wilderness. They had the same grit and courage and would fight Hitler to the last ditch. When, in due course, they returned to Australia, they would find here a strong organisation of men of the old A.I.F. who would stand, by them through thick and thin.’ It was a stirring evening of speeches.
The Country Women’s’ Association presented the young men with a parcel of comforts, while the Millicent Council presented them with pocket wallets. Friends at Furner made Privates James and Malcolm Sutherland the recipients of parting gifts. Malcolm, on behalf of the men, made a speech in thanks to the community for their support.
Following pre-embarkation leave James, Malcolm and their fellow 2/48th Battalion, boarded the Stratheden for the Middle East, on the 7th November 1940 and disembarked on the 17th December. Their 2/48th Battalion completed a few months training in Cyrenaica before going to Tobruk at the start of April 1941 where the dust, flies, heat, minimal water supplies and constant bombardment were quite a challenge to these fresh new enlistees. Once there, they completed a few months training in Cyrenaica. Both brothers were to become one of the now famed Rats of Tobruk in a battalion which was to be highly regarded and decorated.
Aged just 22, James was killed in action on the 22nd July ’42. At that stage, orders had been received to capture West Point of Tel el Eisa in a dawn attack. In late June ‘42 with Rommel crossing into Egypt, the 2/48th were in an offensive to capture Trig 33, which was achieved on the 10th July. In doing so, over 400 Italian prisoners were taken. The 2/48th battalion then advanced south, capturing the Tel el Eisa station and repelling numerous counter attacks. However, they were eventually forced to withdraw, having suffered over 100 casualties. It was during this attack that Private Stan Gurney was awarded the 2/48th Battalion’s first VC having captured two machine gun posts and bayonetting the gun crew firing on his company but was killed attempting to take a third. The 2/48th battalion suffered 215 casualties between the 7th July and 23rd October. Of that number, 64 men were killed and six, died of their wounds, including Art. 125 other men were wounded but survived.
In his book, ‘Tobruk to Tarakan’, John G. Glenn described the ferocious encounter;
‘When the troops were well forward of the start-line they came under terrific fire from shells and mortars from the front and left and suffered heavy casualties. With the slow deliberate movement of perfectly trained soldiers both companies continued the advance in perfect formation, over ground that trembled and erupted with vicious explosions. Through this, sometimes obscured by the smoke and dust, the men moved, and, as they advanced, the fire kept place with them, leaving behind the still shapes of fallen men among the camel bush and sand.’

Throughout August, the Adelaide based newspapers released the names of those killed or wounded in that battle. On the 20th August, the Chronicle named a further list, again dominated by the 2/48th Battalion soldiers. SX7254 Pte. Robert T. Elliott, 2/48th Adelaide. SX7354 Pte. Herbert C. P. Jones, 2/48th Yundi SX7877 L-Cpl. B. H. McInnes, 2/48th Lancaster. SX7343 Pte. John E. Miller, 2/48th Parkside. SX7535 Cpl. P. O'Loughlin, 2/48th, Pinnaroo. SX8094 Cpl. Walter H. Promnitz, Med., Waikerie. SX8881 Pte. James McA. Sutherland, 2/48th, Millicent. SX11350 Pte. Keith E. Treagus, 2/48th Kyancutta.
James’ parents placed a brief notice of his death in the Adelaide Advertiser in August. ‘SUTHERLAND. Killed In action, Egypt July 22, James McArthur, second son of James and Daisy Sutherland. Furner. South-East- Age 22 years.’
Back home, the local Border Watch reported in their August edition the tragic news. ‘Mr. and Mrs. James Sutherland, of Furner, have been notified that their son, Pte. James McArthur Sutherland was killed in action in Egypt on July 22. An older brother was serving in the same battalion with him. A third son of the family is in the R.A.A F.’ The South Eastern Times carried a similar tribute. ‘Mr and Mrs Jas. Sutherland, of Furner, were notified by the military authorities on Tuesday that their second son, Private James McArthur Sutherland, had been killed in action in Egypt on July 22. He was serving in the same battalion as his brother, Private Malcolm Sutherland. They fought in the Tobruk campaign and afterwards spent some time in Syria before moving into the defence of Egypt. James was born at Millicent 22 years ago. He and his brother enlisted in 1940 and went overseas last year. Warm sympathy is felt for Mr and Mrs Sutherland in their grievous loss. The third son of the family, Noel, is training with the R.A.A.F. at a South Australian post.’
That same newspaper, reporting on local council issues also included a thoughtful motion at the August meeting. ‘At the monthly meeting of the district council of Beachport on Friday, Cr W. C. Pretty referred to the death of Private James McArthur Sutherland, who was killed in action in Egypt on July 22. He mentioned that Private Sutherland was born at Millicent and lived most of his life in the Beachport district. His father, Mr Jas. Sutherland, was a former member of the Beachport council. Cr Pretty moved that a letter of condolence be forwarded to the parents. The motion was seconded by Cr Andre and was carried. The late Private Sutherland was a nephew of the chairman of the council, Cr A. N. McArthur, who was severely wounded in the war of 1914-18.’ The paper also noted that two of James friends in the 2/48th had also been wounded in action during recent fighting in Egypt. They were Private Eric J. Chuck, of Kalangadoo, SX7666 2/48th and Private Kenneth J. Grindell, of Mundalla SX13569 2/48th.
James and his fellow soldiers were initially buried in the field at Tel El Eisa. James and his fellow soldiers were permanently moved to now rests in the El Alamein War Cemetery where he is in Plot XVI Row B Grave 13. Alongside are his fellow soldiers from the 2/48th Battalion. They include 22-year-old Donald Ridley 32-year-old Clarence Liebelt, 26-year-old Gordon Jury, 23-year-old Gerald Hayes, 33-year-old Herbert Jones, 30-year-old Ray Lovelock, 27-year-old Arthur Davis and 27-year-old Robert Sunman all of whom died the same day as James. His parents chose the inscription ‘Greater Love hath no man’ for his headstone.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion