James is listed as being killed in action on 10 Mar 1915 during the Battle of Neuve Chapelle. The battalion war diary entry for 10 Mar 1915 is transcribed below.
War Diary 3am to 1pm
Lacouture – 10th March 1915 – 3am: Bn marched at 3am without transport to position of assembly (redoubts and breastworks near Cross Roads at S.3.c). The 4th Indian Corps having received orders to attack Neuve Chapelle (orders received by the Bn at 7.30pm – Appendix G). Each man carried great coat and mess tin in his pack with 2 sandbags, unexpended portion days rations & emergency rations in haversack & 250 rounds. In addition each company carried 40 shovels, 6 picks, 4 full bomb carriers & 30 extra wire cutters. Breakfast at 2am before marching.
At 7.30am guns bombarded enemy trenches, continuing till 8.5am and making the most appalling noise. Some batteries were firing just over our heads and we had some casualties from prematures. Capt P.G. Anstruthers was wounded at this time by one of the few bullets coming over from the enemy – he was standing behind the breastwork looking over it.
8.50am: The Garhwal Bde assaulted the German trenched line by line, evacuating the breastworks Y and Z to were they had been waiting in readiness.
9.20am: Battalion ordered to occupy the breastworks and Y & Z with 9th Gurkhas on the left. Bn moved by Edward Road and the Rue du Bois and took some time to get up as the trenches were blocked by wounded coming down, and did not get into this position till about 11.15, when Col Richie was ordered to go to O.C. in Port Arthur to reconnoitre a position of trench still held by enemy between the Leicesters and the 1/39th Garhwal Rifles (roughly from C1 KC2 on sketch map) which the Leicesters were trying to bomb the Germans out of with partial success.
War Diary 1pm to 4pm
1pm: C Coy (Capt Baillie Hamilton) and D Coy (Capt Wicks) ordered to advance from the breastworks, pivot on the northern salient of Port Arthur, advance on C and try to dislodge the Germans & link up the Leicesters near O with 1/39 near C2.
These 2 companies advanced on the line O to C. Capt Baillie Hamilton worked through the difficult & intersected ground round D & came under rifle & machine gun fire, he reached the line D to O ready to cooperate with Capt Wicks who was waiting near X.
At this point operations were brought to a standstill owing to our heavy artillery shelling from W to C. The enemy brought up a Trench Mortar & Wicks was wounded. The 4th Bn Black Watch were moved in amongst our advanced companies which caused some confusion & finally both they and some of the Leicester’s were ordered to withdraw.
4pm: As it was getting late it was decided that the Dehra Dun Bde should move on to the attack of Bois de Biez & that the Battalion was to be attached to the Garhwal Bde & was to make sure of establishing the line at C securing the right flank. Accordingly A (Lieut Bruce) and B (Capt Murray) were ordered to attack towards point C from point E. C Coy to cooperate on the left and work towards NC, D Coy to remain where it was & act as a reserve.
OC Port Arthur was asked to advance from C2 when the Battalion were East of the Neuve Chapelle-Port Arthur Road. This attack was carried out, B Company bombing the Germans along the trench from W where Capt R.A.C. Murray was dangerously wounded, to C where they linked up a detachment of the 3rd London Regt, who made a gallant charge from Port Arthur, our Maxim Guns assisted in keeping the enemy heads down.
2nd Lieut C.H. Kirkaldy was killed close to C. A&C Coys advancing to L.T about 120 Germans surrendered to the London. By this time it was dark & the Battalion was withdrawn to the line O C with the 2nd Leicesters on the left & the 3rd Londons (2 weak companies) & the remains of the 1/39th Garhwals on the right and up to the Estaiares-La Bassee Road. Col Ritchie being put in command from near O to B. This position was consolidated & made good during the night.
The following officers were wounded in the attack in addition to those already mentioned: Lieut Hon. D Bruce; 2nd Lts R.J. Walker (3rd Gordons attached), P B Prothero (4th A&S Highlanders attached), G.C Evelegh (temporary), Major A B A Stewart had to go had to go sick from shock due to the explosion of a shell close to him.
Casualties: 2 Officers & 17 OR killed; 7 Officers & 49 OR wounded; 3 sick. END
