Son of William Wilson, of 38, East Back St., Bishopmill, Elgin, Morayshire, Scotland. James Wilson served in the Regular Army for eight years and in the Reserve for four years. He was in South Africa when war broke out and immediately joined up and served under General Botha throughout the campaign there. He afterwards went to France with his regiment, and after some heavy fighting, was awarded the M.C. He was killed in action barely a month before the war ended on 9 October 1918. Only eleven awards of the M.C. were made to N.C.Os in South African units during the Great War.
LG Sup 23 April 1918 pg. 4890 - "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When enemy snipers were causing several casualties he personally organised and conducted a search and put three of the enemy snipers out of action himself. He repeatedly went out under heavy fire to attend to the wounded and on two occasions went to the assistance of a carrying party under heavy fire."; MID LG Sup 28 December 1917 pg. 13576