James "Jimmy" Lyons grew up in Killargue Village county Leitrim, Eire and enlisted in the Royal Artillery in 1945. He served briefly with the 96 RA Anti Tank before being drafted to India and served with 23 Para on Light Anti Aircraft and Anti Tank and then 158 Para Field until the end of 1946.

In early 1947 Jimmy was reassigned to the Middle East Force - serving in the Palestine Campaign. Jimmy joined the 2nd Anti Tank regiment within the 6th Airborne Division.

Jimmy was released from the Royal Artillery in early1948 and returned to Eire but subsequently moved and settled in Birmingham UK. James passed away in November 1978 but was survived by 4 children and numerous grand children and great grand children.