Brigadier Jim Jefferson
Loyal Edmonton Regiment
10th Infantry Brigade

Jim Jefferson was not the “brass hat” type of Commander, and we can say that the men of his Regiment were really devoted to him, to the extent that they knew he would not send them into any kind of action that he would not take on himself. This feeling of confidence was frequently borne out during his various commands, from Company to Brigade. He was a fighting soldier who had the respect of officers and men at all times, and that says plenty.

(The Fortyniner, Jan 1974, 15)

Born in Northumberland, England on 6 January 1906, James Curry Jefferson joined the Edmonton Regiment in 1923, gained a commissioned four years later, and became a major in 1937. When General Bernard Montgomery inspected the battalion in early 1942, he had been unimpressed with the senior officers. Lieutenant-Colonel E.B. Wilson was removed along with several other older majors. Four months later, in December 1942, Jefferson succeeded Lieutenant-Colonel George Kitching, who had been brought in to “shakeup” the regiment.

Although Jefferson had failed to impress higher-up and was regarded by one senior officer school commandant as lacking, “the mental alertness necessary for command,” he led the Edmontons in the landings at Sicily in July 1943. He subsequently refuted earlier doubts about of his leadership skills with a Distinguished Service Order in the campaign:

In the confused fighting that followed Lt.-Col. Jefferson personally led a detachment of his battalion in clearing the town with house-to-house fighting, destroying large number of the enemy. The aggressive leadership of Lt.-Col. Jefferson resulted in the subsequent capture of the town and his example was an inspiration to his own men and the rest of the brigade.

At the Battle of Ortona in December 1943, a year after taking over the Edmontons and six months’ service in the field, Jefferson earned a D.S.O. Bar:

In this complex and confused street fighting, Lt-Col. Jefferson displayed to a superlative degree the qualities essential in a commanding officer. His calmness and cool disregard of danger were an inspiration to his men. His unyielding determination, quick and accurate appreciation and skillful leadership broke this final enemy stand and ensured the capture of ORTONA.

By the end of the year, the King had granted the Edmonton Regiment the designation “Loyal,” and Jefferson was soon promoted to brigadier in January 1944. Command passed to Major Ted Day. Jefferson was recalled to England where he was briefly assigned to 6th Infantry Brigade before a permanent placement with the 10th Brigade, which he would command in the Normandy campaign until the end of the war.

Brigadier George Kitching, whose 4th Armoured Division included the 10th Brigade, wrote of Jefferson: “He was a quiet spoken man who gave the impression of being ‘slow on the uptake’ because he always mulled over a question that was put to him before replying. That period of though and his slow-spoken replies fooled many people, including Montgomery.” When Kitching reminded Montgomery he had earlier assessed Jefferson as “too slow—not a leader,” the British general “thought for a moment and said, with a grin, ‘Well, I do make mistakes occasionally—but very occasionally.’”

After the end of the war in Europe, he was made Commander of the Order of the British Empire. The citation spoke to his exceptional leadership and the high respect he had earned from superiors:

Throughout every operation, in which 10 Canadian Infantry Brigade has participated, the skill and courage displayed by this officer has been outstanding. His cool ability to calculate a legitimate risk and his speed in seizing the most fleeting advantage have won him the admiration and confidence of all ranks in the division.

A firm believer that many battles are won during the period of their preparation, Brigadier Jefferson has ever been keen to make the most of any opportunity for trg, and during these periods his knowledge of the enemy and their tactics has been of great value to the units under his command. He has always dealt promptly with the personal problems of his troops and maintained a high standard of morale and discipline within the brigade.

Brigadier Jefferson has ever considered himself in his eagerness to outwits and defeat the enemy. It is beyond doubt that this brilliant commander has contributed in a high degree to the success of this formation’s operations.

Jefferson died in Victoria, British Columbia on 4 May 1973.