Born 65 Soho Square, Liverpool, England. His father was a British Regular Army NCO and he spent 6 years of his boyhood in India.

Sergeant James Huston had served in the Mercantile Navy during World War I. At age 16 after gaining his Wireless Operators Certificate in London he signed on as a Junior Wireless Operator.

He remained at sea (being torpedoed on one day) until 1919 when he joined the Royal Corps of Signals as a Signalman and spent five years in Northern India, most of that time on the Afghanistan border.

Huston wore 3 Medal Ribbons, including the Indian General Service and Bar.

According to family, next-of-kin details appearing in the Ministry of Defence Embarkation Rolls were incorrect for the time of embarkation. Ministry of Defence personnel have said that the next of kin information appearing in the records was taken from the first attestation papers from details provided by the applicant and as there can be months, even years between the first attestation and embarkation, personal circumstances can alter. Huston's family confirm that when James Huston embarked, he was divorced and the next of kin was his father.

During the 2nd Echelon's term of duty in England Sergeant Huston completed a Course of Instruction as Signals Instructor at Catterick, Yorkshire. On completion his report Certificate noted his marks as "Q" 1. The highest possible marks. Only one other NZ serviceman gained these high marks. He then saw Active service on several battles fields: Greece, Crete, Libya and the Western Desert, when he returned to NZ in 1942 it was as an Instructor, the position he held until discharge in 1944.

Sergeant Huston kept a detailed diary from 9 December 1939 till 1 March 1944. The original has been donated to Waiouru Army Museum (in 1991). He also left an album of photographs, many taken on the battle fields.

Embarkation Rolls information incorrect for next of kin. AWMM