The circumstances of James' death were very difficult for his family to appreciate. He was part of a group of men who were ambushed and surrounded by the enemy after being ordered to go up the line on patrol. The order was given to "get back" as fast as possible.

Later James was reported as missing, and checks were made over the following weeks and months. Nobody had seen him dead or alive. He was not reported to have been in hospital and released prisoners were questioned for information. Some twenty months later a letter was received by the family saying that the facts seemed to support the assumption that he had died and lay in an unmarked grave.

Prior to the war James had been delivering coal by cart.

Teesdale Mercury-09/10/1918: Local and other notes: Posted missing

Teesdale Mercury-10/09/1919: Roll of Honour Notice

Teesdale Mercury-01/10/1919: Roll of Honour Notice