Arthur Lorne James

Who was Arthur Lorne James?

Air Vice-Marshal Arthur Lorne James CBE, RCAF was a Canadian air force officer who was instrumental in the evolution of the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II and the early years of the Cold War, leading to its close cooperation with the United States Air Force in the defence of North America.

Born in Montreal in September 1903, James was educated there and attended McGill University where he graduated with a B.Sc. in Civil Engineering. He enlisted in the RCAF during its formative year in 1924. He attained the rank of Sergeant in the technical branch before being commissioned as a Pilot Officer in 1926 upon earning his pilot wings. Throughout the rest of the 1920s he was active in many of the RCAF's early missions including forest fire patrols, aerial photography, and test flying. James was sent to London, UK in 1929 for post-graduate studies in Aeronautical Engineering and in 1937 he returned to attend RAF Staff College, Andover.

During the early years of World War II, James commanded several British Commonwealth Air Training Plan schools at various RCAF stations across Canada. In 1943 he was assigned to special duties at Canadian Joint Staff, Washington.