Able Seaman James Houston served in the Merchant Navy during World War Two. He was the son of Thomas Houston and Agnes Houston of 3 Salisbury Terrace, Barnhill, Larne, Co. Antrim.
Houston died on 7th February 1941 aged 22 years old. He served on SS Bay Fisher when it went down north-east of Bell Rock, Scotland. The cargo ship came under attack from the Luftwaffe. A total of 8 crew members died as a result of the incident.
James Houston has no known grave. His name is on Panel 15 of the Tower Hill Memorial, London, England. He had served on SS Bay Fosher for only a few weeks under Captain John Todd also from Larne, Co. Antrim. Steve McCallion of Ballywillan, Cairncastle, Co. Antrim survived the sinking. Before this, Houston sailed with the Head Line, the Shamrock Shipping Company, and John Kelly Ltd.