James Edward Kincade was born in Ballarat and was a Labourer by trade when he enlisted in the 24th Battalion, Transport Section on 18 March 1915 at the age of 27. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A14 Euripides on 10 May 1915. He sailed from Egypt to France in March 1916. He had his brushes with military authority, but nothing too serious. On May 3rd 1917 he was wounded in action, sustaining a gunshot wound to his left foot. After treatment in France he was evacuated to the 3rd London General Hospital at Wandsworth. He was returned to Australia on the Themistocles and reached Melbourne on New Year's Eve 1917. He was discharged in March 1918 as æmedically unfit – disability – GSW left foot'.

James had two brothers who also served. Thomas Joseph Kincade (Tree No 2488) returned to Australia 4 July 1919 and Richard Kincade (Tree No 2405), Killed in Action 20 September 1917.
Tree No 430