James was the eldest son of George Thomas and Lily Dobson (née Brown).
His father George Thomas Dobson was born in Castle Donington, Leicestershire, in about 1862 and his mother Lily Brown in Crewe, Cheshire, in about 1866. They were married in 1894 (J/A/S Nottingham) and had four children who were born in Beeston, Nottingham: Ada Elizabeth b. 1895, James b. 1898, Herbert b. 12 December 1900 (reg. 1901) and Melessa Kate birth registered 1903 (J/F/M Basford).
In 1901 George (39) a cycle fitter, and Lily (35) were living in Windsor Street, Beeston, with their three children, Ada (6), James (3) and Herbert (under 1 year). Also in the household was a boarder, William Paling (36), who was also a cycle fitter.
By 191 Geore, now an iron driller for a lace machine manufacturer, and his wife were living at 18 Constance Street, Nottingham, with their four children, Ada a cigarette maker, James, Herbert and Melessa (8), and George's niece, Emiline Dobson (7).
The family was living at 35 Lambert Street, Hyson Green, Nottingham, when James attested in March 1915 and were still living at the same address as the time of his death the following year.
George Thomas died on 13 February 1930 at 121 Highbury Road, Nottingham, although his home address was 95 Manton Crescent, Lenton Abbey Estate, Nottingham. Lily died the same year, 1930 (J/A/S Basford).
Of James' siblings:
Ada Elizabeth married Arthur E Maddock in 1913 and they had at least three children: Arthur E b. 1915 (J/F/M) and Gerald b. 1917 (J/F/M), who were both born in Nottingham, and James L who was born in Boston, Lincolnshire, in 1919. Arthur served in France during the war. He and Ada probably emigrated to Australia in 1921 as there is a record of the family on the passenger list of SS Themistocles departing London for Brisbane on 2 July 1921. There are subsequent entries for Ada Elizabeth Maddock on the Queensland immigration records and Australian electoral rolls (not sighted).
Herbert married Annie E Nightingale in 1924. In 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled they were living on Goodliffe Street, Nottingham. Herbert, a machine stoker and Annie (b. 22 November 1904) had two sons, James (b. 18 April 1925 d. 1999) a van driver and Frank (b. 15 July 1925) who was at school. Herbert died on 28 September 1958. His widow married Arthur Green in 1960 (J/F/M) and died in 2000.
Melessa Kate married Leonard Maskery in 1921 (J/F/M Nottingham). They have not yet been traced after this date.