James was born in Tonbridge, Kent to Charles William Conybeare Hore and his wife, Jean Lucy Terry who were divorced in 1927.

He was educated at Eastbourne College and Matriculated in 1934. After graduating in 1937, he was an assistant master at Chelmsford Hall Preparatory School, Eastbourne

On 9 April 1938, he married Gertrude Elizabeth Malcolm at Eastbourne. They had a son born in 1941.

James was a Second Lieutenant in the 118 H.A.A Regiment when he was accidentally killed at Chepstow Moor on 22 May 1942. His wife was living in Willingdon, Sussex.

He is commemorated on Panel 1 at the Cheltenham Crematorium.

His wife remarried in 1963.