South Townsville rotunda named after Private James (Jimmy) James

A beloved uncle and World War II soldier remembered as a family hero was given the recognition he deserved.

A South Townsville rotunda has been named after World War II soldier James 'Jimmy' James. Nieces Jane Cox, Shirley James and Donna James. Picture: Evan Morgan

A beloved uncle and World War II soldier remembered as a family hero was given the recognition he deserved in a dedication ceremony in South Townsville on Thursday.

Private James (Jimmy) James was born in Tully Street in South Townsville in 1917 and joined the army in 1941 serving with the 2/9th Battalion in the Syrian and Tobruk campaigns in the Middle East and then in New Guinea before he was killed in action at Buna aged 25 in 1942.

The Townsville City Council named a rotunda in his honour in Tully Street, opposite South Townsville State School where he was a student at the ceremony where members of his family spoke about their much-loved uncle.

Niece Donna James said the family had been striving to get either a street or park in South Townsville named after Private James in his honour for decades.

“He’s a family legend. He was our family hero,” Mrs James said.

She said her two sons had followed in Uncle Jimmy’s footsteps.

“Both my sons joined the RAAF and one is still serving. They both went into the air force because of Uncle Jimmy’s sacrifice. They saw a strong belief that they needed to follow in those footsteps and do right by the family.”

A South Townsville rotunda has been named after World War II soldier James 'Jimmy' James. Picture: Evan Morgan

She said South Townsville was where the James family had its roots.

“This is this street where our family really originated. They all went to school here. This was their area.

“They’re all born in their homes in South Townsville. If you look at all their birth certificates, they were born all around this area, in homes. They weren’t born in hospitals.

“Uncle Jimmy was born in 67 Tully Street but that the whole family were raised just over in Perkin Street.”

Mrs James said the family were given the option for a street to name after Private James in an outer suburb.

“We said ‘no, it has to be here’, because this is where our family roots are. We were looking at parks, and we’re looking at little lane ways and then we just come here (to the rotunda). We thought maybe we can ask for the rotunda, and it’s such a beautiful area,” Mrs James said.

She said the rotunda would now be a gathering place for her family.

“We’ve sat down here a few times. It’ll be nice just to sit here and ponder life.”

Cr Brodie Phillips said it was important to be able to honour members of the community like James ‘Jimmy’ James.

“He was born and raised in Tully Street and ultimately gave his life protecting the country he loved,” Cr Phillips said.

“It was humbling to hear from the James family and see first-hand just how much it meant to now have a place to come together in honour of a man that has meant so much to their family.

“It is especially significant, in the days leading up to Anzac Day that we could take a moment to highlight not only the sacrifices of those who fought for our freedoms, but the individual lives and stories that make up that legacy.”

Private James now rests at the Port Moresby (Bomana) War Cemetery.

Originally published as South Townsville rotunda named after Private James (Jimmy) James