James Alexander (Jim) Clouston was the eldest son of Maud Halligan and Police Constable George Clouston.

Jim grew up in Opunake where he attended primary school. After completing primary school, he became a boarder at New Plymouth Boys' High School. He later took up an apprenticeship as a motor mechanic. On 4th March 1936 he married Muriel Dakers Byars and the couple settled in Opunake where Jim worked as a motor mechanic. Their two daughters, Janice and Dorothy were born in Opunake.

During World War II he served with the Royal New Zealand Air Force in New Zealand and the Pacific. After the War he took up a position as a technical teacher at Hawera High School, and the family moved to Hawera, where Graham was born in 1950.

In 1952 he was appointed to the staff of New Plymouth Boys' High School. He began teaching in the technical department and later became Head of Department. In 1971 he was appointed Deputy Principal. He held this position until his retirement in 1975.

Jim Clouston was highly regarded in educational circles and was actively involved in researching community needs for the establishment of the Taranaki Polytechnic in New Plymouth.

Brothers James Alexander Clouston and Thomas William Clouston served in WW2.

Cenotaph database record compiled from information from the family AWMM