Contributed by Ron Inglis, February 2022:
NX 7129 James Alexander Pickering was a younger brother of Frank Hessel Pickering and Roland Tafe Pickering, both killed in action in the First World War. Their parents were Frank and Kate, who had passed away by the time of the Second World War.
James, 43, was living in Auburn with his wife Rose and two daughters when he enlisted for service in the Second World War. He joined the 8th Division and died in Borneo in March 1945, either in a Prisoner of War Camp or on one of the first Sandakan Death marches. James had been serving with the 2/20th Battalion.
As with his brothers in the First World War, James' body was never found.
James Pickering is honoured on the following memorials in Australia and overseas:
- Auburn War Memorial (1939–1945 list)
- Municipality of Auburn Second World War Honour Roll
- Burwood Sandakan Memorial
- Roll of Honour Australian War Memorial Canberra
- Lauban Memorial, Borneo