Introduction

In 2014 the centenary of the outbreak of World War One, Cumnock History Group began researching the names on the Cumnock War Memorial plus other men and women with Cumnock connections mentioned on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission or in the Cumnock Chronicle of the time. The research is not limited to those who died but also to men and women who served, using family history information.

The group would like to appeal to individuals with knowledge of family members for photographs of the soldier, either in uniform or not, and photos of medals or other memorabilia eg letters sent home from the Front. If you would be prepared to share these on this site, please email the web manager info@cumnockhistorygroup.org The group is willing to share any copies of documents found with the soldier's descendants.

Sunday, 18 May 2014

James Sharpe

James Richard Lillie Sharpe was the son of Matthew Sharpe and Margaret Connell born on 11 November 1889 in Ayr Road, Cumnock. He was reported missing after the Battle of Loos on 29 Sep 1915. He was 25.

He worked at Cumnock Post Office

1901 census
Greenvale Cottage, Cumnock

Matthew Sharpe             48 house joiner
Margret Sharpe             45
Matthew Sharpe             14
James R L Sharpe             11
Maggie A E S J Sharpe             9
Catherine S Sharpe             6

CWGC 
His service record survives.  Private James R L Sharp. (He didn't sign his name with an e at the end.) He was living at Criffel Cottage, Cumnock when he enlisted in February 1915 in Ayr. he was 5 ft 5 and a half inches tall and his chest was 33 and a half inches, He had 6/6 vision in both eyes.  He was a postman unmarried and next of kin was his mother living at Criffel Cottage Cumnock. Other living relatives were,  sisters Kate 23 and Margaret 25 also of Criffel Cottage and brother Matthew 31 of 16 Alexandra rd Wrexham. This information was provided by his mother in 1919.


as reported in the Evening Times Roll of Honour 13 Dec 1915



Name: James Sharp
Birth Place: Old Cumnock, Ayrshire
Residence: Old Cumnock
Death Date: 25 Sep 1915
Death Location: France & Flanders
Enlistment Location: Ayr
Rank: Private
Regiment: Royal Scots Fusiliers
Battalion: 1st Battalion
Number: 17148
Type of Casualty: Died
Theatre of War: Western European Theatre



He is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial and on Cumnock War Memorial. 
His family gravestone and Cumnock Memorial has  Sharpe spelt with a final   -E.

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