James Thomas Pengelly was born in Charters Towers, QLD and was a Miner living at Magpie Street, Ballarat, Victoria when he enlisted in the 24th Battalion, 5th Reinforcement on 19 July 1915 at the age of 30. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT RMS Osterley on 29 September 1915. On 20 March 1916 he proceeded to join the British Expeditionary Force from Alexandria and was later admitted to hospital with influenza on 12 October 1916. He was discharged to base details on 25 November 1916 and rejoined his unit on 18 January 1917. In October of that year he was wounded in action with a shrapnel wound to the face and back. The wounds were classed as æslight' and he was discharged from hospital to furlough a month later Her was sent home and disembarked at Melbourne on 23 August 1919, receiving a full medical discharge in October of that year.

He had two brothers who also served: Pte Alfred Pengelly, 60th Bn, killed in action, 19 July 1916 (Tree No. 892) and e Frederick Pengelly, Machine Gun Bn Details, returned to Australia, 3 July 1919 (Tree No 1191)
Tree No. 3352