Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the youngest son of Robert Hopkins Roberton J.P. and his wife Mary Louisa, who was the daughter of William Parren. James was educated at Magdalen College School, Oxford, and in the Spring of 1913 went to South Africa to study farming at the Rhodesian Government Experimental Farm, returning to England in 1914 he matriculated at the University of London and entered the Medical College as a student. He joined the O.T.C. in May 1915, and obtained a commission in the Yorkshire Regiment on the 12th August 1915. He was for some time a Machine Gun Instructor, and transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in April 1916. He gained his Pilot’s Certificate in August 1916 and served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from August 1916, and was killed in action near Hulloch and Lens on the 6th September 1916. He was patrolling the lines and had crossed to attack a hostile craft, while doing so his machine was shot down by a Fokker. Death was supposed to be instantaneous and due to the explosion of the petrol tank. James was unmarried. Other sources show his surname spelling as ROBERTON.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday September 8th, 1916

SON OF MARKET BOSWORTH MAGISTRATE

SHOT DOWN BY FOKKER OVER THE GERMAN LINES

Information has reached Mr R. H. Roberton, J.P., and Mrs Roberton, of Stoke Golding Lodge, that their youngest son, Second-Lieutenant James Leslie Roberton, has been killed as a result of an engagement with a hostile aeroplane over the German lines on September 6th. While patrolling the English lines in France, Lieutenant Roberton crossed over to attack a hostile machine, when he was engaged and shot down by a Fokker. His death, it is believed, was instantaneous, as was also that of his observer.

Twenty-one years of age, Lieutenant Roberton was educated at Magdalen College School, Oxford, and for time studied farming on the Government Farm in Rhodesia. On his return to England in 1914, having passed his entrance examinations for the University of London, he entered as a medical student the London Medical College. Last year he joined the Officers’ Training Corps, and received his commission in the 4th Yorkshire Regiment, being for some time machine gun instructor. During the present year he was transferred to the Royal Flying Corps, and received his pilot’s certificate a month ago.

The sad affair has caused widespread regret, the family being well-known and highly respected amongst all classes. Deceased only went to the Front quite recently. Mr Roberton is one of the Market Bosworth magistrates, and frequently sits on the Bench there.

Research undertaken and submitted by Andy Murby 15/10/2017