James was born in Scotland c1879, son of Georgina Lauriston, Nottinghamshire, England. He was a carpenter by trade, having served a 7 year apprenticeship, but had also worked as a miner. He was single and aged 37 years and 2 months when in 1916 he enlisted in the 16th Bn 23rd Refs (NR Australian Corps School). He was 5 foot 6 inches tall, weighed 133 pounds with a dark complexion, dark brown hair and brown eyes.
James embarked aboard the Berrima from Fremantle on 23 December 1916, and was taken on strength in the field on 7 March 1918.

James was reprimanded for drinking too much on one occasion during his service. At the cessation of hostilities James took leave with pay and subs to get experience at a flour mill: The Mansfield Sutton Co-operative.
James returned aboard the SS Plassy on 5 September 1919. He took up carpentry work in Gnowangerup and advertised in the Gnowangerup Star.
During the years 1920 to 1930 the War Service often delivered the materials required for building a house to the local railway station, occasionally they would be delivered direct to the farm. In some soldier settlement areas, such as later in Ongerup and Jerramungup, the houses would be erected (and even clearing would be mostly completed) before the settlers arrived. Around this time settlers were allowed between 50 and 200 pounds for housing materials, depending upon what area they were settling in.