Although born in Bolton, James was baptised a few months later in Oldham and probably spent the rest of his life there before enlisting.

James was the son of James Vaudrey b.1854, a carter and Sarah Vaudrey née Wagstaff b.1858.

In 1881 he was living with his parents who were boarders at 169 West Street, Oldham.

He married Lilian Hilton Kenyon b.1881 in Oldham in 1909.

In 1911 they were living at Rochdale Road, Oldham and James was employed as a machine fitter's labourer at Platt Bros Ltd.