Son of Joseph Richard and Elizabeth Catherine James of Rangiora, North Canterbury. James' father was originally from England and his mother from Australia.

After arriving in Sydney, the men of the 22nd Mounted Rifles were sent to Melbourne, where they boarded another ship to take them to Egypt. [NB. James' service records give the name of this ship as "Boorara", but Forbes Eadie's list gives it as "Boora". Eadie's date of arrival at Suez also differs from that listed in James' records.]

On 3 September 1918, James was sited for disobedience, in particular for being in Jerusalem without a pass, and was forfeited 6 days' pay.

James returned to New Zealand on board the Ulimaroa, which left Suez on 30 June 1919.

Moeraki then transfer to Boora at Melbourne for Suez. AWMM