James and his twin brother John were the youngest of five children of Isabella and Robert Wilson, Scottish migrant workers in England. His father was a herdsman from Aberdeenshire. James and John were inspired to join the local athletics club by watching the 1908 Olympic marathon race that passed nearby their home.
James and his twin brother John were the youngest of five children born to Isabella and Robert Wilson, Scottish migrant workers in England. Their father was a herdsman from Aberdeenshire. James and John were motivated to join the local athletics club by observing the 1908 Olympic marathon race that passed near their home.