James Joseph West (SN 2186) born at Avenel, was a 36 year old farrier and general blacksmith when he enlisted in Ballarat on November 27th 1915. He trained with the Light Horse Regiment before embarking aboard the Barunga on April 7th 1916 to serve with the 4th Light Horse Regiment. While serving in Egypt and Palestine he was attached for a time to the Australian Camel Training Unit. In May 1918 he contracted malaria which rendered him unfit to continue active service. He was returned to Australia aboard the Demosthenes, disembarked on March 2nd 1919 and was admitted to hospital in Melbourne. A hospital report in April noted he was totally incapacitated due to military service. He was eventually discharged medically unfit on March 11th 1921.