Irish-born James Madill was ten years old when his family migrated to New Zealand via Canada in 1885. In 1900, at the time of his enlistment with the 16th Company 6th Contingent New Zealand Mounted Rifles, he was working as a farmer in Tuakau (next of kin: A. Madill, Tuakau). He embarked from Auckland aboard the Cornwall on 16 January 1901.

Madill received Orange Free State, Cape Colony and Transvaal clasps together with SA01 and SA02. Following his return to New Zealand James Madill became a builder based in Hamilton. He died in Auckland on 24 June 1959.