James Duncan Lyle was a plumber whose family was long-associated with the Brisbane-based club Eskgrove. It appears Duncan and his brother Charles played for Eskgrove at various times from 1905.
Lyle enlisted in September 1915, and according to the Daily Standard of 20 June 1919 was welcomed back by Eskgrove FC looking “A1”. His war, though, was not without incident. Lyle was twice wounded while fighting with the 49th Battalion. In July 1917 he was shot in the right hand, leading to evacuation to England.
While in hospital Lyle scrawled a letter home using his left hand, stating he received his wounds at Messines Ridge while “going over the top”. He rejoined his battalion in November but received a gunshot wound to the nose in July 1918, leading to a return to England. After recovery, Lyle arrived back to his battalion just eight days before armistice.
Both injuries prompted a Mrs L. M. McKay, of Granville NSW, to write to the Base Records office requesting updates on Lyle’s condition. McKay stated Lyle was the intended husband of her daughter. Lyle did indeed marry Rubina (Ruby) McKay in Auburn, Sydney in 1921. He passed away in 1976, ten years after Ruby.