Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

James was a son of the eminent gynaecologist Dr Edward Way, younger brother of famous  South Australian Chief Justice Sir Samuel Way.

James did his early schooling at St Peter's College and then switched to Way College*, a new Bible Christian school which lasted just over a decade before converting to Methodist Ladies' College in 1903.

James heard the call to arms and sailed for South Africa early in 1900 to serve as a Trooper in the Boer War with the 2nd South Australian  (Mounted Rifles) Contingent. Another member of that contingent was the legendary Harry 'Breaker' Morant. James switched to the Imperial Army and in 1901 obtained a commission as a lieutenant in the Royal Artillery.

In 1908 he was promoted to the temporary rank of captain in the Royal Garrison Artillery. He served with this unit in France from the outset of World War I in 1914 and was promoted to the rank of major. As adjutant of an artillery battery he was mentioned in despatches by Sir John French and awarded the Military Cross in 1916 for distinguished service in the field.

On 25 March 1918, King George V conferred on Major James Way, DSO, MC, the Order of St Maurice and St Lazarus. Cavalier. At Bombay on 3 October 1920 James married Dorothy, youngest daughter of the late Lt-Colonel R. Warner Stone, 80th (South Staffordshire) Regiment, and Mrs Stone of Paignton, Devon.

In September 1901, while James was still at the Boer War, his father Dr Edward Willis Way had died of a heart attack while operating on a patient. Thrice married, the esteemed surgeon and philanthropist was the father of two sons and four daughters.

Redlegs Museum (www.redlegsmuseum.com.au)