James was born in Leicestershire, England in 1948. He served in the Royal Navy before emigrating to Perth in Western Australia in 1982. He has three sons and a deceased wife Barbara. James took up writing when he retired from full time employment, with the specific intent of using his own experiences and stories of his ancestors told to him by his father. He is a keen gardener, plays darts with the Kingsley Darts Club; and is proud to be a life member of the Wanneroo Civic Choir.