James was born on 15 August 1920 in Yarmouth, Norfolk to Ellis and Eleanor nee Cohen and he had an older brother John who served in the Navy. In 1939 the family were living at 25 Llanvanor Road, Golders Green and James was working as a fancy goods importers assistant. Early in 1940 James enlisted in the RAF. A cousin of James remembers him as rather glamorous and would take her out when she was a young teenager on his motorbike when he was on leave.

James was the wireless operator on Wellington X3171. James death certificate states that he was killed on the landing ground at RAF Boscombe Down, Amesbury. His cause of death was: ‘Struck by propeller of aircraft by misadventure on getting out of aircraft.’