James Percival Roope

A Civilian, James died on 29th of September 1940 at the age of 54. 

James was born at Lowestoft on 1 March 1886, a son of Joseph and Angetta Roope. In 1891 his family lived at 47 Queen's Road, Lowestoft, and this was still their home in 1901 when James worked as a railway clerk, and in 1911 when James worked as a tram conductor with Lowestoft Borough Council.

James served for three years in the Norfolk Volunteers. 

In 1912 James married Bertha Chapman. They lived at Wellington Cottage, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft. 

James was working as a stage manager when he volunteered and enlisted in the Army at Lowestoft on 16 November 1914. He served with the 4th Battalion Suffolk Regiment, number 22677, and joined the 2nd Supernumerary Company. On 27 October 1915 and again on 12 February 1916 he signed the agreement to serve overseas: he was based at Lowestoft on these dates. 

On 19 February 1916 he was transferred to the Cambridgeshire Regiment and joined the 4/1st battalion, service number 4701. James was promoted to Lance Corporal on 29 April 1916. On 30 August 1916 James was transferred to the Yorkshire Regiment, number 5126, and posted to the 1/5th Battalion and he arrived in France the next day. On 19 September 1916 he was posted to the 4th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. He returned to England on 25 December 1916 (reason unknown). 

James returned to France on 27 April 1917. On 13 May 1917 he was transferred to the Durham Light Infantry, number 245111, and posted to the 20th Battalion as a Private. In late 1917 he was promoted to Lance Corporal. James was wounded, receiving a gunshot wound to his right leg and shrapnel wound to his neck. He returned to England on 11 April 1918 and was posted to the strength of the Depot. 

On 30 April 1918 he was discharged, being no longer physically fit for service. His intended place of residence was 19 Cliff Road, Pakefield, and he was awarded a 80% disability pension for 39 weeks. James was awarded the Silver War Badge.

In 1921 James and Bertha were still living at 19 Cliff Road, Pakefield, and he was a general labourer for Lowestoft Corporation, but 'out of work.' They were still living at 19 Cliff Road in 1925. 

Bertha died in 1936. She was living at Chancellor's Park at the time and she was buried at Keymer, Sussex, on 13 May 1936. Bertha had some connection to Hassocks, Sussex (which is near Keymer) and she had moved there temporarily during the First World War whilst James was overseas. 

In 1939 James lived at 56 London Road North and worked as a garage hand.

On 29 September 1940 James was working at the Herring Market when a German Dornier Do. 17 bomber dropped six bombs on the Harbour and Dock area. The office at the Herring Market took a direct hit killing four sailors and four civilian naval employees (It is assumed that Isaac was among the latter). See Anniversary of bombing raid marked by town commemoration | Eastern Daily Press (edp24.co.uk)