James Joseph Wheeler was the son of John Thomas and Agnes Wheeler of Torbay Rd.
He enlisted on April 17, 1915 and shipped out on the SS CALGARIAN to the UK on June 20, 1915. Although he was present in time to be a part of the RNR contingent that went to the Peninsula to fight in the Gallipoli Campaign, he was apparently held back with the reserves in Britain and did not enter the war until he landed at Marseilles on March 3, 1916.
James was a small man, only 5 feet 5 1/3 inches (most likely he insisted that the 1/3 inch be included in his attestation description) but was well built, weighing a solid 164 pounds, a testament to his work as a coal miner.
He was wounded in battle on October 12, 1916 but insisted on remaining on duty. Perhaps as a testament to this sense of duty, he was appointed Lance Corporal on November 7, 1916.
Exactly two weeks later, on November 21, 1916, James was again wounded, this time grievously, with gunshot wounds to the chest, right arm and right leg.
He only survived long enough to be treated at Casualty Clearing Station 34 that same day and was buried the next day at Grove Town British Cemetery, Méaulte, Somme, Picardie, France, Plot 2, Row K, Grave 25.

He was survived by his parents, two brothers and a sister.