Lot 330

Description

Digger James Club, goblet in epns, engraved on one side is the badge of Royal Australian Army Medical Corps and above this is inscribed, 'DIGGER JAMES', and below, 'CLUB'. Age toned, otherwise very fine.

The Digger James Club was established at 1st Military Hospital in the 1960s until it closed in 1996. The club was so named to honour Major General William Brian 'Digger' James AC, AO (Mil), MBE, MC. He served in Korea where he was severely wounded and lost his left foot. He was awarded the Military Cross for his service in Korea. After rehabilitating from his injuries he transferred to the Royal Armoured Corps. In 1957 he resigned to take up medical studies at Sydney University. He graduated in 1963 and after serving his hospital residency he rejoined the Army as a medical officer in the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps. He served in Vietnam and was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire for his service. He also served with the British St John's Ambulance relief team at the end of the Biafran Civil War in Nigeria in 1971 and was awarded the Order of St John. On his return to Australia he held various important military appointments before retiring in 1985. He also held the positions of RSL National President (1993-97) and President of United Service Club Brisbane (1990-92) and was Chairman of the Australian War Memorial and other important positions and was also a patron of many other groups.
With research and photo of Major-General 'Digger' James.