James Martyn Strickland's Story.
James Sykes was born in 1897 the third son of Richard G, an architect and Elizabeth Sykes.In 1901 he was living with his parents, two brothers and four sisters at 87 Shrewsbury Road. He was educated at Birkenhead School from 1903 to 1915. He was a school prefect and a member of the football XV.
On leaving school he joined Officer Training College and obtained his commission in the 5th Gordon Highlanders. In August 1916 he went over to France and in November was killed at Beaumont Hamel.
His brother Captain Alec Sykes also served with the Kings Liverpool Regiment.
Second Lieutenant Sykes is remembered with honour at the Y Ravine Cemetery, Beaumont-Hamel. He is also remembered on the Birkenhead School War Memorial.
His Chaplain wrote “I cannot write of his death without feeling that we of the Battalion have lost one of our very best”.
James' grave in Y Ravine Cemetery, Beaumont-Hamel
Research and photo by Chris