Regimental Number: 19393
Rank: Private
Branch: 9th Battalion; 14th Battalion; 1st Division Cycle Company; Canadian Corps Cyclist Battalion
James was born in Grenfell, Saskatchewan in March of 1899. He later moved to the Edmonton area with his parents. In order to enlist in the Canadian army in 1914, James lied about his age, stating that he had been born in 1896. In September of 1915 James was put in confinement to await trial for having left his post before being relieved. He was sentenced to six months of hard labor, but this order was revoked in October. James then went absent without leave while on duty and was fined ten dollars. In November he forfeited twenty days’ pay for neglect of duty, and in April of 1916 seven days’ pay for being absent from roll call. James was engaged in the battle of the Somme, the Second Battle of Ypres, Passchendaele, Mons, and Vimy Ridge, and was awarded the Military Medal for conspicuous bravery. In March of 1919, James married Dorothy Thomas, a Red Cross worker, in London. The couple sailed for Canada, and in 1923 settled in Halcourt (34-70-11-W6). They had seven children. James also served in the Second World War, as a sergeant of the Detention Barracks. He died in Halcourt on October, 4, 1964.
Source: Beaverlodge to the Rockies p. 340
Brother of George & Nathan