After intial training in New Zealand, Jim embarked for training in Canada in December 1940. 

Continued his training with the 20 OTU at  Lossiemouth in Scotland

Jim was the first New Zealander chosen to fly a Stirling bomber

He died on Friday 18 July 1941, aged 24

His aircraft, Stirling I bomber, N6030 LS-P, took off from Wyton, Cambridgeshire on a daylight raid on Wesel.   They were recalled due to clearing skies, but their aircraft was hit by a night?fighter and said to have crashed burning in the sea well off the province of South Holland, with no survivors.