James Fitzgibbon Daly was 18 years old when he enlisted from Ballarat on July 28th 1915. Born in Ballarat, he was single and a salesman when was posted to the 58th Infantry Battalion. He was killed at Fromelles during the disastrous attack on 19th July 1916. He is buried at Rue du Bois Military Cemetery, Fleurbaix, France.

Both he and his brother, William served with the 58th Battalion in the Battle of Fromelles. James was killed in action on July 19th 1916, and William dyed of his wounds a few days later on July 22nd. Their mother, Christina, was informed first of the death of William and was so distressed that Ballarat's Chaplain Snell requested that the army withhold news of the death of James because 'it is feared that in her present condition of health the news would prove fatal to her'. In a subsequent letter of apology the Army regretted that due to 'a chain of unhappy circumstances the request was inadvertently overlooked.' Christina proved strong enough to survive the devastating news, and to disclose that James had been just 17 years of age. Unlike many who died at Fromelles, both have known graves in France, James at Rue-Du-Bois Military Cemetery, and William at Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension. The grave of their parents, William and Christina Daly, is a reminder of the impact of the war on some families, with two brothers being killed in the same battle.