James was educated at Gordon's College, Aberdeen and graduated M.B. in 1891, and served as a Surgeon R.N. from 1894 and as Staff-Surgeon from 1902. He retired in May 1914, after 20 years service in the Royal Navy, and took up private practice in Dovercourt, Essex. He was re-called for active service on the 4th August 1914 and was appointed P.M.O. on H.M.S. "Hermes". On 31st October 1914, whilst he was acting in this capacity, the ship was torpedoed in the Straits of Dover, and James received the thanks of the Lords of the Admiralty for his good work on that occasion. The following November he was appointed to H.M.S. "Otway" but owing to shock consequent on the torpedoing of the "Hermes" he was invalided out of the Navy. The Government issued an appeal because of the shortage of Doctors and James at once responded. He joined the East Anglican Casualty Clearing Station, was granted the rank of Major on the 7th May 1915, and was ordered to the Dardanelles. On his way to take his share in forming a hospital at Mudros aboard H.M. Transport Ship 'Royal Edward', he lost his life when it was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine UB-14.