In the best tradition of the time ‘Jim’ James first graduated Bachelor of Arts with classical Greek, then studied medicine, gaining bachelor degrees and finally a doctorate. He enjoyed the challenge of general practice in the country for five years, then entered practice in Ballarat with the intention of moving from general into consulting practice as far as circumstances of the time allowed. His interests were mainly heart and lung disease, and ample scope for the latter was provided in the early years of his practice when he was appointed as physician in charge of the newly opened Department of Health chest clinic and tuberculosis chalet at the Ballarat Base Hospital.

In the mid-forties he acquired a Watson-Victor electrocardiograph, recording onto photographic film, among the first equipment of its kind in service in Victoria beyond the metropolitan area. This helped to establish his reputation as a cardiologist, but also showed him the need for postgraduate work in cardiovascular physiology. In 1948 he met William Evans in Melbourne, and he heartily supported the views of his fellow Welshman on the significance of systolic murmurs in the diagnosis of mitral incompetence (W Evans: ‘Incompetence yes, but not mitral’) and he chuckled as the great Les Hurley openly displayed his disagreement. His meeting with Evans established a friendship from which he derived great personal pleasure and professional stimulation. In 1949 he renewed personal contact with Evans when he attended the London Hospital to sharpen his skills in cardiology, and he established with Evans a correspondence which continued for the remainder of his active life.

Jim James was short and slightly built. His rather sharp features and spectacles gave him a studious look until he smiled and his eyes crinkled with Welsh humour. He dressed immaculately and drove a black Riley which required a second look to make sure someone was behind the wheel. His short stature did not produce Napoleonic attitudes; it seemed a source of dignity and distinguished him at gatherings. His influence in local medical politics was subtle and was exercised through example in clinical excellence and high ethical standards. The post-war influx of practitioners to Ballarat brought with it a threat of competitive behaviour, which could have caused harmful divisions. James was a factor in welding these diverse interests into a body with such mutual goodwill and such striking lack of inter-personal animosity that visitors were astonished. He raised the vision and expectation of local doctors and pointed the way to postgraduate study. Through his striving, true consultant practice in Ballarat began to become a reality.