Born on 12 December 1934, Joseph James”s childhood days at both council and secondary modern schools led him, at the time somewhat blindly, into what became an extremely valuable six-year apprenticeship as a plumber and heating engineer, learning both recipes for success in the trade and for life itself. He then served two years” active service as a signaller in the army before a spell down the coalmines. He subsequently returned to a career as a journeyman plumber, involved in domestic, commercial and industrial projects, as well as gaining wide business and local government experience.