James Wallace was born on 24 October 1895 in Glasgow, Scotland. He arrived in Brisbane in 1910 and found his way to Victoria after that. Some of the little we know about him was published in this notice in the Footscray Independent in June 1915 after he was wounded at Gallipoli:
BUGLER JAMES WALLACE of the 7th battalion, reported wounded, is in hospital at Malta. He is a son of Mr James Wallace. of Gaitlea, Napier street, and is 19 years of age. Before enlisting he was employed at Gray Bros.’ Engineering Works, Williamstown. He was a player with Northumberland and Durham ‘soccer’ football team.
The photo below of a Bugler Wallace might well also be a shot of our man.
The Australian War Memorial website captions the image as follows: “London, England. 1916. AIF Corporal Bugler Wallace using his bugle at the opening of the Australian Kit Store. Corporal Wallace blew the Last Post over the grave of General Bridges. (Donor G. Henderson)”
In 1940 living in Seddon as an unemployed fitter, he enlisted once more, serving in the Melbourne Garrison. Appearing to be resistant to discipline James spent much time AWL and was discharged in 1942.
He died on 5 November 1947 in Yallourn, Victoria, at the age of 52, and was buried in Fawkner, Victoria.