James Pearce Cobb
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
James was born at Sturton in 1888 the son of William Simpson a butcher and Annie Maria Cobb of Sturton-le-Steeple. In the 1911 census the family are living at the butchers shop in Sturton , he is 23 years of age and is assisting his father in the family butchery business he has a sister Ethel Anna.
His service record does not appear to have survived however the Soldiers Died in the Great War records show he was born at Sturton and that he enlisted at Retford. He at first served with the Northumberland Fusiliers with service number 5040 but was later transferred to the 1/4th Battalion, King's own Yorkshire Light Infantry. He was killed in action on 14th April 1918 his body was never identified and his name is commemorated on the Tyne Cott memorial.
Pte J B (sic) Cobb Retford Times 24th May 1918 Sturton Soldier Killed Official confirmation of the rumour that Pte J B Cobb had been killed in the recent fighting has been received by his mother. He joined the Northumberland Fusiliers early in 1916 but was afterwards transferred to the K.O.Y.L.I and thus had seen nearly two years service in France. He was shot by a sniper on April 14th, but had been previously gassed and wounded. The deepest sympathy for his widow and bereaved mother is felt by all the village.
