James Mechie was born on the 16th May 1892.

In 1901 the Mechie family were living at Strathview Terrace, Kinnoull, Perth: Father, Andrew M. (Bank Accountant) (37); Mother, Jessie J. (33); Son, James (8); and Son, Stewart (3).  He was a student at the University of Saint Andrews gaining a B.Sc. In 1912. James was the holder of the 1851 Exhibition Research Scholarship and had his tenure extended.

He enlisted as a Sapper with the Divisional Engineers, Royal Naval Division, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force. The 63rd (Royal Naval) Division, was an infantry division which served during the First World War.

It was originally formed, at the outbreak of the war, from Royal Navy and Royal Marine reservists and volunteers, who were not needed for service at sea. The Division participated in the Siege of Antwerp in 1914. The Royal Marine Brigade arrived opposite Lier, in requisitioned London buses, on 4th October 1914 and took part in the siege until they withdrew on the 9th October. The division was then shipped to Egypt and fought at the Battle of Gallipoli, at Anzac and Helles.

The Royal Naval Division and the Regular Army 29th Division, were the two British divisions which took part in the Gallipoli landings. On the 29th April, the fleet of warships and troopships rendezvoused off Bulair before dawn and the warships began a a day-long bombardment. In the late afternoon men began to embark on to boats and landed just before dark. The beaches were well defended and heavy fighting took place there, and continued as the division tried to move inland.

James Mechie died on 21st July 1915 aboard Hospital Ship “Soudan” of enteric fever which he would have contracted during his participation in the Gallipoli campaign.

The total Allied casualty figures for the Gallipoli campaign were 56,707 dead, 123,598 wounded and 7,654 missing and prisoners.

James Mechie is also commemorated on the Perth West Church War Memorial, and the University College Dundee War Memorial.