Mr James Fraser was born at 80 Hutcheon Street in Aberdeen, Scotland on 13 February 1883.

Hailing from a Presbyterian family, he was the eldest and only-surviving child of tinsmith James Fraser (b. 28 September 1855) and the former Rachel Gregory Lee (b. 14 August 1860), Aberdeen natives who were married on 20 October 1882.

James’ mother died on 4 February 1885 following complications from childbirth the week previous; her newborn, John William Lee, was born disabled and lived just ten weeks, passing away on 9 April 1885. James’ father was remarried in 1890 to Elizabeth Eliza Kinkaid (b. circa 1861 in Ireland).

The small family appeared on the 1891 census as residents of 123 Bonaccord Street in Old Machar, Aberdeen. In the following years James was gifted with five half-siblings: Elizabeth Ross (1891-1894), William (b. 1893), Andrew Kinkaid (1895-1951), Robert Kinkaid (b. 1897) and Hugh Ross (1901-1957).

By 1901 the family were residing at 9 Walker Road in Aberdeen but James was not listed there, his whereabouts at the time being uncertain.

Fraser served his apprenticeship with Barry, Henry & Co. of Aberdeen and upon completion served for two years on ships operated by Langlands & Sons, following which he joined the White Star Line as sixth engineer aboard the Adriatic in October 1907. He held a first class Engineer's Certificate.

He was married at the Bonaccord Hotel in Aberdeen on 22 February 1907 to Florence Jane Stephen (b. 1882). Florence had been born in Newcastle Upon Tyne, Northumberland to Scottish parents from Aberdeen, James and Jeannie (née Westland) Stephen; her father was a marine engineer and although born in England, Florence had been raised most of her life to that date in Aberdeen.

James and Florence welcomed two children, a daughter named Florence Stephen (b. 1910) and a son named James (b. 1912), both born in Southampton. The family appear on the 1911 census living at 54 Tennyson Road, Portswood, Southampton and Fraser was described as a marine engineer.

When he signed on to the Titanic on 6 April 1912, Fraser gave his address as 54 Tennyson Road, Southampton and his previous ship as the Adriatic. As junior assistant 3rd engineer he could expect monthly wages of £11, 10s.

James Fraser died in the sinking and his body, if recovered, was never identified.

His widow Florence never remarried and remained living in Southampton, later at 14 Southcliff Road. She died on 5 February 1933.

His daughter Florence never married and remained in Southampton for the rest of her life. She died in 2002.

His son James later became a clerk. Following the outbreak of WWII he served in the Navy, training at HMS Collingwood. In a curious twist of fate he was on board the HMS Belmont, a British destroyer, when that ship was torpedoed off the coast of Newfoundland and sunk on 31 January 1942, resulting in the loss of her entire crew of 138 persons. He was 29, the same age as his father had been when he died, also off the coast of Newfoundland.