James Hoskins joined The Parachute Regiment from The S.Lancs Regiment.

He successfully passed parachute jump instruction at RAF Ring on Course 92. This for "Reinforcements, Parachute Bn"and ran between 17 November and 3 December 1943. This 'Long Course' consisted of each pupil conducting 8 jumps. 7 Officers and 235 'Other Ranks' took part on this course. His jump instructor noted that James was: "Keen, diligent steady, reliable, very good."

James eventually became a member of 6 Platoon, B Company, 156 Parachute battalion. He was wounded in action during Op. Market Garden and taken prisoner. His POW number was 117481. James was held at Camp XIb and later at VIIIc

9 March 1946 James ended his Regular Army service and became a member of The Reserves.