Kirkhope, James T.
| Rank
| Corporal, 13th Battalion, Royal Scots. |
| Service Number
| 16170 |
| Born
| about 1896 in Balerno, Midlothian. |
| Parents
| James (wood turner) and Isabella Kirkhope. |
| Date of death
| 23 April 1917 (Aged about 21) |
| Grave
| Has no known grave. |
| Other Memorials
| Inverkeithing Memorial.
Bay 1 and 2 Arras Memorial.
Scottish National War Memorial (Edinburgh Castle) |
Other Information
Census 1911 at Mount Hooly, James Kirkhope (15) born Balerno, Message Boy in Naval Base Works, boarder with William Reddie, pilot and family.
He first went to France on the 9th July 1915.
The 13th Battalion Royal Scots formed part of 45th Brigade in the 15th Scottish Division.
On the 9th April 1917 the battalion were one of the front line assault battalions taking part in the Battle of Arras.
His battalion attacked near the area of the famous railway triangle stronghold and took severe casualties.
James survived this battle, but sadly was killed in action two weeks later while his battalion took part in what became the 2nd Battle of the Scarpe.
His service record does not appear to have survived.
Sources
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Scottish National War Memorial (Edinburgh Castle)
Soldiers Died in Great War
Census 1911
National Archives. Medal Card. Soldier’s Effects
Alex Morris
Here dead we lie, Because we did not choose
To live and shame the land, From which we sprung.
Life, to be sure, Is nothing much to lose,
But young men think it is, And we were young.
[Here Dead We Lie, A.E. Housman]
When You Go Home,
Tell Them Of Us And Say,
For Your Tomorrow,
We gave our Today
[Kohima, attributed to John Maxwell Edmonds]
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM
If you have been interested by this material, we ask that you make a donation to the Poppy Appeal
