Nothing is known of James Leigh's life, except that Regimental records indicate he was born in Stockport and enlisted in the town. His service number indicates he was either a regular soldier or an ex-soldier, still on the reserve, who was recalled when war was declared in August 1914.

On the day, James is reported to have been killed in action, the 2^nd Cheshires were in reserve rest huts near the Belgian town of Poperinghe, having suffered very serious losses two days before at Frezenberg. James is buried some 35 kilometres away to the east at Roeselare. Throughout almost all of the War, Roeselare was behind the German lines and used as a burial area for prisoners of war. It seems unlikely, therefore, that James was killed in action on 10 May. Much more probable is that he was wounded in the fighting on the 8^th, described here, taken prisoner and died of his wounds two days later.