His ability, leadership skills, personal qualities and business acumen transformed him from an employee to a builder of note.
This contrast is further reflected by the differences in building materials used in McIntyre Avenue and in the house built nearby several years earlier at 6 Carinya Ave for James' cousin.
James could not serve in the army or air force because of severe deafness, the result of scarlet fever when he was 14 years of age.
James and his workmen not of military age were employed by the Public Works Department of New South Wales to build air-raid shelters.
James' firm won the tender to construct the first building of the St George Technical College on the site of the old Moorefields Racecourse.
[1] James' business won the contract to construct the suburb on the new Hooker Estate east of Sylvania Waters, on Georges River.
Jimmy, his wife, Mary, and their four daughters lived at several addresses in Bexley and at 2 George Street, Rockdale before moving to Cronulla.