James Moar was born in 1891 in Newcastle, New South Wales to James and Robina Moar. In 1898, his mother passed away in St .Kilda leavng his father with seven surviving children. His father James who arrived as a four year old with his parents from Orkney, Scotland, passed away in 1911. William, James's  brother passed away in Gallipoli in 1915.

Working as a clerk in Melbourne, he enlisted on 23 April, 1915 aged 24 years. He joined the 6th Infantry Brigade, 23rd Battalion, 6th Reinforcements, embarking from Melbourne on 27 October 1915 aboard the HMAT Ulysses for Egypt where he remained at Tel-el-Kebir until March 1916. He embarked from Alexandria on the HMT Lake Michigan for Marseille .

On 5 August 1916 James Moar was wounded in action and suffered severe shell shock for which he was first admitted to the 2nd Australian Field Ambulance, then transferred to the 44th Casualty Clearing Station prior to be taken to Boulogne to the No 1 Convalescent Depot. On 19 August, 1916 he rejoined the 23rd Battalion. On 12 June, 1917 he was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field. Following some short leave in France in July 1917, he rejoined the 6th Infantry Brigade and was killed in action on 2 October, 1917, prior to an attack on the Broodseinde Ridge near Zonnebeke. Red Cross witnesses reports describe 'Jimmy' as a tall, dark a sturdy chap who was known for his brave actions on many occasions. The circumstances of his death appear to be an example of this courage. He was trying to retrieve the body of an officer when a shell hit him in the back and killed him instantly. He was buried near to where he fell and is commemorated at the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, West -Vlaandeen, Belgium - Panel reference 7-17-23-25-27-29-31