James enlisted into the West Riding Regiment on 23rd July 1915. He was 34 years and 1 month old; was a labourer by trade, and was living in Keighley, Yorkshire at the time. On 25th September 1915 he was transferred to serve with the R.A.M.C. He embarked at Southampton for Salonica on 9th October 1915, then disembarked there on the 23rd. He was then posted to serve with a workshop unit at the Mustapha Depot, (Ras-et-Tin). On 18th March 1916 he was transferred to serve with No 31 General Hospital. On 22nd November 1917 he was admitted as a patient into his unit. He died there from syncope whilst under anaesthetic. He was the son of Nancy Ackroyd of 79 Bradford Street, Keighley, Yorks