James attended Ottawa Collegiate Institute.

James was a student living in Ottawa, Ontario, when he signed up for World War I. He was a member of 43rd D.C.O.R. He had previously served 5 years with the O.C.J. Cadet Corp, 3 months with the 43rd D.C.O.R. His attestation was on August 25,1915. He was 5’ 7&1/2” tall, of swarthy complexion, with brown hair and dark brown eyes. He was certified medically fit on September 2, 1915.

By the time he was certified to go overseas (March 13, 1916) as part of the Canadian Expeditionary Force, he was working as a civil servant in Barrie, and he was a lieutenant. He became part of Col. Street’s 77th Batallion. In April of 1916 he was transferred to the 76th Battallion, whom he went with to England a few weeks later. He was transferred to the Royal Flying Corps, 1st Central Ontario Regional Depot in September. He got his wings in March of 1917, and a little later was appointed instructor at Turnberry, Scotland. After that, he was placed on the headquarters staff for home defence at Gainsboro, Lincolnshire.

He was killed in action on September 25, 1917. He was taking part in the defence against a German Zeppelin air raid over the southeast coast of England.