His lifelong nickname "Digger" pre-dated his military career, having been applied when someone placed a slouch hat on his head at the age of ten months.

On 7 November, during the Second Battle of Maryang San (Hill 355), he led a patrol of twelve men to capture an enemy outpost.

The group inadvertently entered a Canadian minefield, resulting in the death of one soldier and four injuries, including the loss of James's left foot.

[1] He underwent surgery at an American MASH unit in Korea, before being flown to Kure, Japan where he spent four months being treated at the British Commonwealth General Hospital.

In late December, he was repatriated to Australia where he spent fourteen months in recovery at the Royal General Hospital, Heidelberg.

[1] On 3 March 1953, James was awarded the Military Cross for gallant and distinguished service in Korea due to his actions that day.