In 1901, the Coupar family were living at Newrow Farm, Methven, Perthshire.

The head of the household was William (a Land Steward) who was born in 1859 in Abernyte, Perthshire. His wife was Isabella (nee Gorrie) who was born in 1863 in Logiealmond, Perthshire.

William and Isabella had four children - three boys and a girl.

Their only daughter was Janet who was born in 1892 in Logiealmond. Their three sons were , James who was born in 1894, Robert Watt who was born in 1896 and William Waddell who was born in 1898. Both James and Robert were born in Logiealmond whilst William was born in Methven.

Also living with the Coupar family at this time was Jessie Simpson, the family's general domestic servant.

James (Jim) was the eldest of the boys and with his siblings, he attended Perth Academy.

On the outbreak of the First World War Jim quickly responded to the call to arms, signing up in the Seaforth Highlanders, in the 9th Scottish Division, the senior of the Kitchener formations, Jim's service number was S/7486. 

Jim was wounded at the Battle of Loos in September 1915, when the 9th Division performed so valiantly in the Hohenzollern Redoubt. After repatriation to Perthshire and a period of recuperation, he went before a medical board and was declared fit to return to duty, despite the fact (according to his sister Janet) that he was still reliant on a walking stick. 

Jim was next in action at the Battle of Arras, when the 9th Division attacked along the River Scarpe. There he was wounded for a second time, and died of his wounds on the 21st of April 1917. 

He is buried in the Military Cemetery at Aubigny sur Somme and is also commemorated on the Methven Parish War Memorial in Perthshire, Scotland.