Sergeant James Lockhart (7009959) served in 2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles during the Second World War. Born on 26th October 1904, he was the son of Charles Lockhart and Martha Jane Lockhart (née Wylie) of Templepatrick, Co. Antrim.
The 1911 Irish Census shows James aged 6 years old, living with his parents at 2 Malvern Place, Belfast. Also in the house are older siblings Edward Lockhart, John Lockhart, Charles Lockhart, and younger brother Henry Lockhart. The remaining person in the household is James’ stepbrother William Patrick who is 22 years old.
James married Henrietta Cairns and the couple lived with their 2 daughters at 6 Hunter Street, Belfast. During the Second World War, he died at a military hospital in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, England on 26th March 1942 aged 37 years old. At the time of his death, James had more than 17 years of military experience and saw action at Dunkirk.
Archive Photo: The Commonwealth War Graves headstone of Sergeant James Lockhart of 2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles was one of several damaged by vandalism at Belfast City Cemetery in 2019. Copyright Peter McCabe - Belfast City Cemetery Tours.
James Lockhart’s grave is in Glenalina Extension, Section L, Grave 307 of Belfast City Cemetery, Belfast. Reverend J.M. Payne of St. Aidan’s, Belfast conducted services at the Lockhart home and at the graveside on Tuesday 31st March 1942. Four Lockhart brothers carried the Sergeant’s coffin with many members of the Royal Ulster Rifles in attendance. James’ brother Company Sergeant Major Harry Lockhart also served in the Rifles.