James McCartney served with 4 Company of the 27 (Machine Gun) Battalion of the New Zealand army in North Africa. He was killed towards the end of the 2nd Battle of El Alamein and his death was recorded in the Battalion's Official History.
"The infantry were not so fortunate; nor was 4 Company. ‘During the morning,’ says Halkett, ‘an enemy 88 made things very uncomfortable with “air bursts” which kept us in our slitties. (slit trenches) Late in the morning one shell burst just short of one gun position.’ Private McCartney, who had left his pit to brew tea, was killed, and two or three wounded had to be evacuated."
DEATHS
McCARTNEY. — Killed in action, Middle East, James Seaton, dearly beloved elder son of Mr and Mrs J. F. McCartney, Victoria street, Mosgiel. “He died that we might live.” -Evening Star, 23/11/1942.
At the meeting of the Mosgiel Borough Council last night motions of condolence with the relatives of James Seaton McCartney and Vincent Xavier Kirby, killed on active service, were passed. -Evening Star, 8/12/1942.
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