James arrived in Western Australia in 02/1887 on the Australind from the U.K., travelling via Singapore. James married Amelia Baston (17/07/1864-12/07/1940) on 29/09/1892. Amelia was the daughter of George and Elizabeth (nee Sutton). He practised for a short time in Bunbury before proceeding to Wyndham. He was the resident medical officer in various towns of the North West according to the Government Gazettes from 1887 to 1890. He was a Justice of Peace for East Kimberley in 1888. James travelled to Geraldton in 1894.