James Davis (SN 3174) born at Ballarat, was a married 24 year old butcher when he enlisted in Melbourne on November 23rd 1916. He embarked aboard the Ballarat on February 19th 1917 bound for England, but during the voyage he spent 17 days in isolation in the ship’s hospital. Initially posted to the 37th Infantry Battalion, he spent the final year of the war training in England. Two weeks after the Armistice was signed, he was transferred to the 8th Depot Unit of Supply in France. His service did include some penalties for discipline breaches, but he avoided battle wounds and serious illness. He returned to Australia on the Wiltshire, disembarked on August 19th 1919 and was discharged on September 26th.