Harold James

Harold James was educated at Clifton College, Bristol where he shot for the rifle shooting team and was a member of the VIII that won the prestigious Ashburton Shield at Wimbledon in 1884. During World War I, James assisted with rifle shooting training of the Southern Command of Kitchener’s Army. He was also a good standard archer, and both James and his wife Annie were members of the Backwell and District Archery Club. At the 1908 Olympics, despite being one of only two contestants not to hit a gold, James managed to finish in sixth place.

An all-round sportsman, James was a good golfer, was captain of the Flax Bourton Cricket Club for many years and was also Master of the North Somerset Hounds. He was a Bristol grain merchant and broker by profession.