James was born 1885 in Runcorn the son of William and Catherine Donovan who are believed to have been immigrants from Ireland. James joined the Liverpool Police c. 1906/7 and served in “A” Division at Hatton Garden and Warren Street Police Stations. He married Gertrude Victoria Ducket in 1910 and they resided at 121 Empress Road, Kensington, Liverpool 7. When war was declared James volunteered but as he was 30 years of age was not drafted immediately but was eventually called up and joined the Royal Garrison Artillery as Gunner 18158 in 35th Battery   and as such went to France where he was awarded a Military Medal for Bravery. He was severely wounded in Action and evacuated to a casualty clearing station where he died of wounds on Sunday 6th October, 1918 and lies buried in Tincourt New British Cemetery, Somme, France. The Liverpool Echo of 28th October, 1918 carried an obituary which contained the following emotive   sentence :- “  Leaving a beautiful memory to cherish by his wife, four little ones, Ma Ducket and Tom in France. RIP ” The eldest of the four children was only seven years of age. We have placed a Plaque with your name on around Police HQ, and children are making a Poppy mosaic which will contain your name. We will remember you. On the 8th of June 2018, Inspector Neil Kavanagh, held your plaque for a film Merseyside Police are making to commemorate officers who fell in WW1

Merseyside Police