James Thomas O'Rourke was a Merchant Seaman before enlisting into the Royal Marines on 23 June 1942. Marine O'Rourke, 'B' Troop 46RM Commando, was captured and a prisoner of war 11 June 1944 during operations at Rots, Normandy. Initially detained at a transit camp at Chartres before being transported to Germany. In April 1945 Marine O'Rourke hid in the camp along with others when the Germans attempted to move the prisoners on a march to a new location. On return to the UK in 1945 he resided in Slough, Berkshire.