Mr James Tozer was born at 24 Anglesey Terrace in Southampton, Hampshire, England on 14 November 1879.

He was the son of an English father, George Tozer (1841-1911), and an Irish mother, Anne Ryan (1836-1919). His father hailed from Exeter, Devon and had served in the British Army until 1879. His mother was a native of Co Limerick and was wed to her husband in Southampton in 1863.

James had four siblings: Mary (b. 28 March 1867, later Mrs George Shard), George (b. 1 December 1874), Christopher (b. 10 December 1876) and Edwin (b. 1881); sister Mary was born in Limerick, Ireland (whilst her father was indicated to already have been in India) whilst brothers George and Christopher had been born in British India, in Calcutta and Cawnpore.¹ respectively.

On the 1881 census James and his family are living at 21 Chantry Road, St Mary, Southampton and his father is described as an Army pensioner. On the 1891 census the family are listed as 13 St Georges Place, Southampton.

On the 1901 census James is absent but his parents are living at the same address, 13 St Georges Place. It was reported the previous year that James’ father had been hauled before the courts for assaulting his wife. His father passed away in 1911 and neither he nor his family seem to appear on the 1911 census.

When he signed on to the Titanic in Southampton, Tozer gave his address as 6 Challis Court, Southampton² and his previous ship as the Olympic. As a greaser he could expect to earn monthly wages of £6, 10s.

James Tozer, who was unmarried, was lost in the Titanic disaster and his body, if recovered, was never identified.

James' mother continued to live in Southampton until her death in 1919.