James Shapcott, Wounded Heroes founder, remembered as a ‘giant among men’
An Ipswich legend and community champion has been remembered as a scallywag and ‘giant among men’ by his community and loved ones.
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A local champion, veteran and ‘scallywag’ has been remembered as a man who served his community with gusto, and has left behind a lifelong marriage and an incredible legacy.
‘It’s about them, not us’ was the motto that Wounded Heroes founder James ‘Jim’ Shapcott lived, and died, by.
Wounded Heroes shared on their social media yesterday that their founder and chairman had died peacefully on Sunday August 20, leaving behind his wife of 62 years, Elise and his children and grandchildren, along with a community deeply in mourning.
Mr Shapcott, born and raised in Ipswich and a Ipswich Grammar School Old Boy, was a commissioned officer in the Australian Army between 1966 and 1973, retiring as a Captain with 2/14 Lighthorse Regiment at Gallipoli Barracks in Enoggera.
He went on to establish his own advertising agency and achieved an enormous amount in his time.
In 2007, Mr Shapcott founded Wounded Heroes, an organisation which provides immediate assistance to veterans and their families experiencing financial or housing crises across Australia.
The organisation has cared for more than 20,000 veterans and families, with 3000 of those in the last year alone, with much of their struggles a direct result of their service.
Volunteer president of Wounded Heroes, Martin Shaw said that Mr Shapcott had seen an unmet need in the veteran community and filled it with ‘gusto.’
“The war experience is one riddled with pain – he gave them hope,” Mr Shaw said.
“Coming home, for some, is as painful as it is joyous.”
“Having lost mates in battle, Jim imagined how hard it is to enjoy their own survival. We (Wounded Heroes) help them in their struggle, with compassion, to start again.”
The Wounded Heroes Veteran Centre in Bundamba has honoured Mr Shapcott’s name, with the lovingly known Jim’s Cafe and his family has encouraged everyone to head into the cafe for a coffee and to remember the man behind the name.
“Jim’s legacy will continue in perpetuity, as the baton is passed on,” Mr Shaw said.
“Jim is best described in the true Australian tradition as a scallywag.”
“A Veteran, his sense of humour was matched with his compassion, in true Aussie style.”
“He could mix it with the high-end of town as he battled bureaucracy to better the lives the greatest defence force in the world.”
“He’d want everyone to come in (to the cafe) for a brew, to ‘come as you are; leave as a friend’.”
It wasn’t just the lives of veterans and his family that the passionate advocate touched.
Mr Shapcott at one stage also entered the world of politics, running for the National Party against Bill Hayden, who went on to became the nation’s Governor-General, and against Clem Jones and Don Cameron in the Fadden electorate.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding and Member for Blair Shayne Neumann both shared their condolences for the loss of one of the community’s greats.
“I was very saddened to hear of the passing of Ipswich veteran Jim Shapcott, who I had the honour to meet on several occasions,” Mayor Harding said.
“His life work has impacted thousands of lives of those who answered the call of duty selflessly and for many, whose lives were never the same again.
“He was a giant among men with his selfless motto being ‘it’s all about them, not us’.
“He will truly be missed and most certainly remembered.”
The Ipswich Grammar School Old Boys Association took to their social media to share their fond memories of the former old boy.
“At school Jim was an all-rounder as Prefect, Vice-Captain of the First XV Rugby Team, Platoon Commander in the Cadets and Captain of the Swimming Team,” they wrote.
Many people whose lives were touched by Mr Shapcott also took to social media.
“I was lucky and honoured to work with Jim in both the corporate world and the very early days of Wounded Heroes. The lesson and knowledge I learnt I will carry until we meet again,” one wrote.
“RIP Jim, a Lighthorseman till the end. Thank you for what you achieved in your lifetime, it was a privilege to know you and work with you.”
“He was a scallywag with and enormous heart and he will be missed.”
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