James was educated at Glasgow High School and at Glasgow University - where he graduated M.B. Ch.B. in 1909. At school he was known as a good footballer, playing for the High School Rugby team. After graduating he spent a year at the Royal Infirmary, Glasgow and was house surgeon to the Gynecology Department of the Maternity Hospital Glasgow. He was doing locum tenes work in England in a private practice when war broke out. James obtained a commission in the R.A.M.C. in November 1914. He was stationed for a time at Edinburgh Castle and afterwards at Gailes as MO to the 16th Bn. Highland Light Infantry. In March 1915 he was transferred to No 19 Hospital at Boulogne and later to the 22nd Field Ambulance (7th Division) where he was in charge of one of the first clearing stations at Festubert. Next he was transferred as MO to the 2nd Bn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment and was with them in the trenches until after the Battle of Loos. He was mentioned in Sir John French's despatches and at the beginning of 1916 was awarded the Military Cross for services at Loos. Excessive strain caused cardiac dilation and general nervous prostration, resulting in him having a breakdown and he was discharged from the R.A.M.C. on 30th November 1916. However, James was determined to re-join and resumed his rank of temporary captain. He was appointed Resident House Surgeon at Craigleith Military Hospital, Edinburgh and returned to France at the beginning of December 1917. He was attached to a field ambulance and saw service in Flanders. He was home on leave in March 1918 and on his return was attached to 141st Field Ambulance. On the 17th September 1918 he was transferred as temporary MO to the 1st Bn. Gloucestershire Regiment and while advancing towards St Quentin the following day was killed instantly by a shell burst. James was the youngest son of Archibald Kirkland of Viefields Newmains. [Information sources: John Hamblin and the Lancet. (Portrait photograph kindly provided by John Hamblin)]