B65738 Lance Corporal James Bowler McEvoy was born on  30 March 1922 in Toronto, Ontario, the son of John and Catherine McEvoy.

He attended Morris Street Public School and Eastern High School of Commerce. A brother, Sergeant John I. McEvoy also served overseas during the Second World War.

McEvoy worked as a clerk and typist when he enlisted with the 3rd Battalion, The Queen’s Own Rifles (Active Service) on 29 June 1942. He trained in Niagara on the Lake and Debert, New Brunswick before arriving in the United Kingdom on 30 December 1942.  He assigned $20 per month of his pay to his mother.

McEvoy served in the 4th Canadian Infantry Reinforcement Unit until he was posted to The 1st Battalion QOR in July 1943. He was promoted to Acting Lance Corporal on 28 May 1944 and Acting Corporal on 10 June 1944.

Lance Corporal McEvoy landed on Juno Beach with D Company on D-Day, 6 June 1944. He was initially reported missing but later confirmed killed in action during the battle for Le Mesnil Patry, on 11 June 1944, aged 22.

He is buried in Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, grave reference III. D. 4.