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| James Messini and family... |
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James Messini was a few days short of his sixteenth birthday when he arrived in Australia and left home as soon as possible for what proved to be a very successful life in the Australian Army.... My Mum, stepfather and my (half) brother, George and I migrated to Australia, arriving on 6th March 1949 (coincidentally, my Dad's birthday). At that stage, we had lost contact. After a couple of years working for an optical firm, I joined the Australian Army as soon as I turned 18. I was posted to Japan during the Korean War and I met my wife, Atsuko Sugae, a Japanese lady. (We have been married 54 years this year, although people said it would never work!). Later, I was offered a commission and went to Officer Cadet School for further training. After a couple of postings in Australia as a Captain, I was sent, complete with family for two years to UK (Blandford Camp, Dorset), where I completed tertiary studies in telecommunications engineering, under the auspices of Southampton University. I was then posted to Army Headquarters as a Major. In 1975, I was posted as an exchange officer with the US Army. It was here that I first met my Aunt Hytho, after corresponding for years. She was living with my cousin, Dolly, for a while after her (Hytho's) husband died in Ithaca, Greece. I sang her "The Sweetest Sweetheart..." in my Dad's voice (I also mimic) and made her cry. We were very close. Shortly after arriving in USA, I was advised that I had been awarded "Member of the Order of Australia" and I was presented with the Order on my return to Australia in March 1977, when HM Queen Elizabeth II, visited Australia. I was by then promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and after this I was Deputy Director of Communications (Army) for three years in Canberra, our national capital. If I'd stayed in the Army, I would have been promoted to Colonel, then Brigadier but probably no further and would have been locked into Canberra, as that's where all the senior jobs are. I thought it wasn't worth it so retired from the Army in 1982. I then lectured in telecomm. engineering at RMIT University in Melbourne until I finally retired in 1993. |
 Lieutenant Colonel James Messini photographed c1977 James has two sons and the musical talent gene seems to have been passed on. Alan taught himself guitar at 14 and sang in a band at 17 - he also likes a whisky although, he stresses, not to the same extent as his grandfather! Alexander (Sandy) has a ten year old daughter Stacey who's "ear and pitch is very good and is a very nice singer". She also plays piano, french horn and violin. Alan comments that his dad bears a striking resemblance to his own dad (Jimmy Mesene) apart from the hair colour... |
 In the photo of a very youthful James above one can see a clear facial resemblance to his father Jimmy Mesene.... |
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 The photo of Al Bowlly above contains a personal message to James - "To my little angel Jimmie. Always your Uncle Al"... |