James ‘Anzac’ Quaite was born in Belfast in 1894 and his family emigrated to Australia at the end of 1909. He was among the railway employees who formed Railway Rovers Football Club in Cairns during 1912. He continued to play for the club until enlisting in November 1915. The club held a farewell for Quaite and presented him with a razor and an outfit.
Quaite was initially assigned with the 41st Battalion but was soon transferred to the 31st Battalion in late 1916. The same year he was disciplined for “stealing public goods to wit, Tea.” The 31st Battalion’s only major battle of 1917 was Polygon Wood, in the aftermath of which Quaite received the gunshot wound which ended his war. He was initially evacuated to England, then began the return journey to Australia in March 1918.
After the war, Quaite continued to work for the railways for several decades. He also played again for Cairns after his return. He died on 10 June 1957 in Cairns at the age of 63, and was buried there.