In 1901, the Turpie family were living at Wilson Street, Craigie, Perth: Father, James (Solicitor & Depute Town Clerk), b. c1858, Pittenweem, Fifeshire; Mother, Eliza J., b. c1866, Dundee, Forfarshire: Daughter, Barbara W., b. c1894, Perth; Daughter, Catherine M., b. c1896, Perth; Daughter, Eliza C.M., b. c1897, Perth; Son, James C., b. c1899, Perth; and Daughter, Marion L., b. c1901, Perth. Also living at this address were: Emma J. Peat (Visitor), b. c1879, Dundee; and Jessie Hutchison (General Servant, Domestic), b. c1880, Abernethy, Perthshire.

The 7th Battalion of the Black Watch was a Territorial unit based at St Andrews when war broke out in 1914. After defensive duties in the Scotland they moved to Bedford, in April 1915, to join the 2nd Highland Brigade, in the Highland Division, and prepare for deployment overseas. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 2nd May 1915, and the formation was renamed the 153rd Brigade, 51st (Highland) Division. The division concentrated on the areas of Lillers, Busnes and Robecq and was involved in the defence of Ypres. From 1915 to 1918 they were involved in many of the actions of the war including, among others, the Battles of Festubert, Givenchy, the Somme, High Wood, Ancre, Pilkem Ridge, Menin Road Ridge and the Cambrai Operations. The Division remained in the Cambrai area until the 21st March 1918 when the enemy launched an overwhelming attack and they were engaged in a fighting withdrawal back to Bapaume.

James Turpie would have lost his life at some stage of this action. 21st March 1918, the Battle of Saint-Quentin.

On the morning of 21st March the British Infantry were attacked in overwhelming strength in thick fog, wearing gas masks for much of the day, finding the fast-moving enemy infantry had broken through gaps in the defences and was rounding them up from behind. Thousands were killed and more captured. Many garrisons of strongpoints held out although surrounded, but the Germans drove deep into the British positions in several areas, precipitating retreat and chaos that developed over the next few days.

James Turpie is also commemorated on the Kinnoull Parish Church War Memorial, Perth.