Details of James's birth are not known.

James married Olive Holt in 1945 in the Rochdale Registration District (Mar. quarter).

He had the following children from his marriage to Olive Holt:

- Lynne Bartle	born in 1946 in the Littleborough Registration District.
- Glynis Bartle	born in 1947 in the Littleborough Registration District.
- Alan S. Bartle	born in 1951 in the Littleborough Registration District.
- David A. Bartle	born in 1957 in the Littleborough Registration District.

Details of James's occupation are not known.