James Leary was a time expired pre war Border Regiment regular. He was a coalminer in Whitehaven, Cumberland when he re enlisted in Border Regiment in Aug 1914. James was posted to the 1st Battalion then to the 6th Battalion (promoted to Lance Corporal) on 21 March 1915. He went overseas (the Mediterranean theatre) on 17 June 1915 and sent back home on 23 September (back drafted to the 3rd Battalion, a reserve battalion). He re-embarked for the Mediterranean theatre (Dardanelles) on 24 November 1915 re-joining the 6th Battalion and made a Lance Corporal again on 14 February 1916. On 30 August 1916 he was downgraded from lance corporal to private (non-compliance with an order). The 6th Battalion were sent to the Western Front in France. On 19 April James Leary was sent back to Britain, being treated at Bradford War Hospital. He was discharged on health grounds on 7 July 1917 as no longer fit for military duties (tuberculosis of the lung) and given the Silver War Badge.