James William Quickmire was born in Jarrow about 1895. His parents were James Quickmire, (1872 - 1899) and Eliza Ann Freeman, born Darlington. They had married about October, 1894 in the Bishop Auckland Registration District.

James' grandfather, James Quickmire, was originally from Webstone, Suffolk, but in the 1881 census was at Crook, working as a coke burner. His wife was Mary Fletcher from Byers Green, Co. Durham.

In the 1901 census James William Quickmire and his widowed mother were living at 5, Mechanic Street, Shildon.

Eliza remarried about December, 1901. She married William Sewell and in the 1911 census the family are living at Main Street, Staindrop. James William Quickmire was a coal miner, as was his stepfather.

James William Quickmire joined the 6th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry and went to France 27, June, 1915. He became a Lance Corporal, 6/2581. He was invalided out in May, 1916.