In Memory of
COCKBURN, JAMES, J
Private, B/75000
48th Highlanders of Canada, R.C.I.C
who died 38 age
on the 25th July 1943
Remembered with honour
AGIRA WAR CEMETERY, SICILY
AGIRA WAR CEMETERY, SICILY
Born 24 Nov 1904, Dundee, Dundee City, Scotland
Husband of Hannah Cockburn, of Toronto, Ontario.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission, 2018-08-12
Private James "Jimmy" Cockburn, 48th Highlanders of Canada. Born on the 24th of November 1904 in Dundee, Scotland and killed in action on the 25th of July 1943.Jimmy served in Dog Company from the 48th Highlanders. In Dileas by Kim Beattie he is mentioned as Corporal Jimmie Cockburn. Jimmy was killed in action by the advance towards the hills outside Nissoria. Below is a part from one of his actions during the advance to Monte Nissoria:
"What had happened on the heights was gradually pieced together by an anxious Battalion H.Q. early in the night while vicious fighting still proceeded by the two 48th Highlander companies.
Dog Company had reached a false crest only, a wide strip of land. Their favourable, and last message had been sent back on reaching this point.
They were on the plateau, but many Germans were in a strong defence position on higher ground behind it. They could fire down on the Highlanders, and were giving them a terrible lacing.
Cpl. Jimmie Cockburn did excellent work directing the fire of a 2" mortar and Cpl. Jimmie Brannon was a great inspiration in his platoon. (It was Cpls. Cockburn and Brannon who volunteered to carry out a wounded officer when it was all over.)
Both Lt. Osier and Sjt. Keith recklessly exposed themselves to take fire from their platoon as the men moved."
Jimmy was married to Hannah Cockburn and together they had three children, a boy of 15 and two daughters of 12 and 14 years old. After his father passed away in Scotland the Cockburn family emigrated to Canada. They all lived in the Toronto area.
Jimmy had two brothers and one was also serving overseas. He also had three sisters.
Jimmy served in the Active Militia of Canada from July 1940 in the 2nd Battalion from the 48th Highlanders. He officially enlisted on the 30th of April 1941 in Toronto.
Find Grave, 2024-10-19
Information courtesy of the 