B149466 Rifleman James Clinton Wheeler was born on 14 November 1923, in El Centro, Columbia, in South America. He was the son of Orby Clinton Wheeler (Chief Geologist for Imperial Oil) and Katherine Riggs, and had two younger brothers, Joseph and Charles. He belonged to the United Church.

He came to Toronto with his parents in 1930 and attended Whitney and Forest Hill Public schools before completing a year at McGill University towards a Bachelor of Arts.

He then completed the Canadian Army University Course, enlisted with the Canadian Army active force on 19 July 1943, and after further training travelled overseas in October 1944. He was taken on strength with The Queen’s Own Rifles on 10 November 1944 and fought with them through Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany.

Rifleman Wheeler was killed in action (possibly by a sniper) in Germany during Operation Blockbuster on 26 February 1945, aged 21. He was reburied in Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery, grave reference VIII. B. 9.

His family had the following engraved on his marker:

AN AMERICAN.
BELOVED SON OF O.C. & KATHERINE R. WHEELER,
BROTHER OF JOE & CHAS.