James Amess was born in Stanley, a village on the north side of the River Tay in Perthshire, Scotland, on the 8th of August 1888.

He enlisted with the Highland Divisional Cyclist Company but transferred to the King’s (Liverpool Regiment) late in 1916. James was posted overseas with his regiment's 19th Battalion sometime after this date - probably in early 1917.

At the time of his death he was attached to the 89th Trench Mortar Battery (30th Division) and was 29 years of age. On the 18th of May 1918, the Perthshire Advertiser posted:

“Private James Amess, King’s Liverpool Regiment (died of wounds) was the youngest son of the late Mr Amess, Millbank, Stanley. He served his apprenticeship with Messrs J. & R. Smail, Perth, and before enlisting was with Messrs Dickie & Sons, Ironmongers, Dundee.”

Today, Private 57546 James Amess of the 19th Battalion of the The King's (Liverpool Regiment) rests in peace at the Esquelbecq Military Cemetery in northern France.

He is also commemorated on the Stanley United Free Church War Memorial, the Auchtergaven Parish War Memorial and the Stanley Parish War Memorial.

In 2015, Perth Academy was contacted by James Amess’ great-niece Muriel, who told us she was delighted that the school were embarking on a project to remember James and the other pupils and staff from the school who'd lost their lives in the Great War. In a real act of kindness, she also said she'd like to donate his personal effects to his old school. 

These personal effects now take pride of place in a display-case beside the school war memorial. Among them is an original hand-written letter from a Canadian Nursing Sister, written to James’ mother, informing her of her son's death. Within that letter of the 17th of May 1918, Nursing Sister Clare Gass of No. 2 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station said:

 “Dear Mrs. Amess, It is with the thought that this letter may be of some slight comfort to you in your great bereavement that I write. Your boy, Pte J Amess, 57546, was brought to our hospital on May 7th very badly wounded in the head, leg, knee & hand. The doctors from the beginning gave us no hope of his recovery & he passed away at 10.30 hrs the following day. His head wound was such that he was not conscious so did not suffer, which fact may be of some comfort to you in your grief. The minister here was with him & will probably write to you also. The few possessions which he brought in his pockets with him will be sent home to you through the War Office. He is buried in the little cemetery connected with the hospital which is near the village of Esquelbecq. With much sympathy for you in your loss. I remain, Yours Sincerely, Clare Gass (Nursing Sister).”

Despite a two-year delay due to Covid, in December 2022 a group of students and staff from James's old school finally had the privilege of visiting his grave at Esquelbecq Cemetery, laying a wreath and reading Nursing Sister Clare's letter at his graveside.

As a tribute to James and Clare the students adorned the wreath with photographs, Scottish and Canadian poppies, maple leaves and two school ties - one from Perth Academy and the other kindly supplied by Clare’s old school, King’s-Edgehill in Nova Scotia.