Acting Corporal James served in the Non-Permanent Active Militia from 21 September 1937 to, 6 June 1940. He enlisted in the Canadian Army Active on 7 June 1940 and proceeded overseas in April 1942. This Acting Non-Commissioned Officer while instructing on the grenade range displayed considerable gallantry and presence of mind when he retrieved and threw out of the safety bay a live 36M grenade which had been dropped by a man in training. By his prompt and brave action the man under training as well as the instructor were saved from serious injury if not death.