James Aspin was the son of Margaret Aspin of Blackburn, Lancashire. He enlisted in the Royal Artillery and volunteered for Airborne Forces.

He successfully completed parachute training at RAF Ringway on course number 105 from 1 to 9 March 1944. His course report stated "Average performer, did not hesitate". He was posted to A Troop, B Squadron, Special Air Service Regiment, Army Air Corps.

He was murdered by a Nazi firing squad on 7 July 1944, aged 21 and is now buried in Rom Communal Cemetery, Southern France.