James demonstrated a keen interest in wireless technology during its early development. Thanks to his father's generosity, Norman House was the first location within the school to possess a wireless set.

Career and Wartime Service

In 1939, James was employed as an engineer in the Far East with the Shell Oil Company. Upon the outbreak of the Second World War, he returned to England with the intention of joining the Royal Air Force. However, recognising that he would not be able to qualify as a pilot, he instead accepted a commission as a Sub-Lieutenant (E) in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR).

Initially, James was assigned to Harland and Wolff’s shipyard in Belfast for a brief period. He was later transferred to the United States, where he joined HMS Avenger, a newly acquired ship of the Royal Navy. Originally laid down as the merchant vessel ‘Rio-Hudson’ in Chester, Pennsylvania, USA and launched on 27^th November 1940. The ship was delivered incomplete to the US Navy in July 1941 for conversion into the escort carrier USS Avenger, equipped to operate 15 aircraft. Subsequently, under the lend-lease agreement, the vessel was transferred to the Royal Navy and commissioned on 2^nd March 1942.

Service on HMS Avenger and Its Fate

In November 1942 she took part in Operation Torch, the Allied invasion of North Africa, where she suffered engine problems. While leaving North Africa to start the journey home HMS Avenger was sunk by the German submarine U-155¹ on 15^th November 1942, 9 hours after leaving Gibraltar for Britain, with heavy loss of life among her crew. The vessel was hit by one torpedo, which ignited her bomb load and blew out the centre section of the ship: she sank within two minutes. The survivors were rescued by HNoMS Glaisdale - further search for more survivors proved fruitless. James was aged 30 and is commemorated on the Liverpool Naval Memorial.

Only son of Alfred Herbert & Mrs E.W.Connell.

1. U155 surrendered on 5^th May 1945 at Baring Bay near Frederica, Denmark. Transferred from Wilhelmshaven to Loch Ryan, Scotland on 22^nd June 1945. Scuttled by the Royal Navy on 21^st December 1945 off the coast of N.Ireland.

A copy of this story can be downloaded here.

Revised: November 2025