James was born in Leicester in 1897, the son of James Arthur and Louisa Gorick. By 1911, the family had moved to Wolverhampton and were living at 17 Vicarage Road, together with James’s sisters Ethel L., Voilet [sic] S. Simpson, Julia and Eva, and his niece and nephew Constance and James H. Simpson. James’s name appeared as “Theo J.” on the census, and he was an office boy for a clothiers.

James enlisted in the 1st/6th Battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment (number 2710). He first served in France from 5 March 1915, and he became a Lance Corporal. He later had the service number 240462). He was killed in action in France and Flanders on 1 July 1916. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.