James Norman has had the sea in his veins for his whole life. Beginning with an apprenticeship at sea at 15 as an Ordinary Seaman with the Leyland Line, earning his seaman's certificate and becoming an Able Seaman with the White Star Line in 1902. He would be on the Titanic's fateful maiden voyage in April 1912, being awoken late in the night of April 14 by a sudden grinding sound which he would later find out to be an iceberg. He would assist in preparing and loading lifeboats before being ordered into Lifeboat 6 by Second Officer Charles Lightoller, surviving the horrific ordeal. James would emerge from the disaster a broken man, full of guilt due to his lifeboat refusing to go back to the site of the sinking to render aid. Despite this, he would return to sea shortly afterwards as the income provided was vital to his survival. Following the outbreak of World War I, James would serve aboard the RMS Oceanic during her short career as a merchant cruiser before running aground in late 1914, later being transferred to the Olympic and eventually, following her introduction into service as a hospital ship, as an Able Seaman on the HMHS Britannic.