The eldest of five children born to John and Christina Wright, living at 4 Glen Cottage, Roslin, James was born in 1886. His father worked as a carpet dyer at the carpet factory in Roslin Glen. James worked as a van-man prior to enlisting in the RGA on the 30th of October 1915.

He joined 10th Company on the 13th of December 1915 and was then posted to 113th Heavy Battery on the 29th of  March 1917.

On the 15th of January 1918, at 5 Greyfriars Place, Edinburgh, James married Emma Penman, a Housekeeper from Crayford, Kent.

In December 1918, James was home on leave in Roslin and he appears to have been unwell during that time. He returned to his Regiment but the family had heard nothing from James, with letters to him being returned. James’ wife Emma had also written in February 1919, but had no reply.

James' service record contains a letter from his father to the regiment, sent in March 1919, in which he explains that his son had left Roslin with his wife, travelling to London, making his way back to France. He had been detained in London because of the illness, finally leaving for France on the 13th of February 1919. His father goes on to say that James’ former employer had offered him a position and the letter had been sent on to James. However, as there had been no word of his whereabouts, the family were now seeking information from his regiment.

It was not until April 1919 that James’ wife was informed that her husband had died from double pneumonia on the 27th of February 1919.

Gunner James Wright is buried at the Fourmies Communal Cemetery and the inscription on the gravestone is:

 ‘My God accept my heart this day’.

He is also commemorated on the memorial plaque in Rosewell Memorial Church Hall.