James Chisholm Wilson Govan was born in Lanarkshire and lived in Midlothian, the son of John and Elizabeth (Wilson) Govan of Edinburgh. He married Mary Milroy Govan and enlisted in the The Royal Scots and volunteered for Airborne Forces. He is listed in The London Gazette, 20 December 1940, as being awarded a Military Medal. He was a member of the RASC when he was received this gallantry award. 

James was posted to B Squadron, 1st Special Air Service Regiment, Army Air Corps.

He was murdered by a Nazi firing squad on 7 July 1944, aged 30 and is now buried in Rom Communal Cemetery. Southern France.