Captain James Fitz-Morris was born on 6 April 1897 in Polmont, near Falkirk, Scotland and educated at Laurieston School.

He joined the Highland Light Infantry in late 1914 at 17 years of age as a motor despatch rider. After 3 months, he transferred to the RFC and trained as an Observer, flying in the Vickers Gunbus in 1915.

He retrained as a pilot and took post with No 11 Sqn RFC. After a flying accident, he served as an instructor and was promoted to Captain.

He joined No 25 Sqn RFC in France in July 1917 and with his gunner, he shot down 7 aircraft in July and August. Both he and gunner were awarded the Military Cross (MC) for their deeds. He became a Flight Commander with No 23 Sqn RFC from early 1918 and won a Bar to his MC in June 1918. His final confirmed tally was - one aircraft captured, 5 set on fire, 4 more otherwise destroyed, and 4 others driven 'out of control'.

He was sent to the USA to serve as an instructor in the British Mission. In August 1918, whilst taking part in a tour of the mid-West to stimulate support for the War and air services, he was killed in a Sopwith Camel which crashed after take-off in Cincinatti, Ohio. His body was temporarily laid to rest in a local family tomb in Cincinatti and his funeral was attended by 4,000 mourners with approximately 250,000 more lining the route.

A year after the War ended, his remains were re-patriated and re-interred in the family plot at Polmont Old Churchyard. A truly remarkable, short life with Fitz-Morris being killed at only 21 years of age.