James Johnson Sharrock was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Sharrock, of Lancashire. He enlisted in the Border Regiment, 70th Young Soldiers on 21 August 1944 in Bolton. Service records state that he was a 'loom sweeper' before enlisting.

He then was transferred to The East Lancashire Reg. on 16 September 1942. James then joined The AAC as an Acting Cpl 16 November 1943, later being promoted to Acting Sgt on 3 February 1944.

James was posted to C Squadron, 6th Flight, The Glider Pilot Regiment on 4 May 1944. He and took part in Operation Market Garden (Arnhem). He emplaned on 17 September 1944 from the UK, and was sadly killed in action on 22 September 1944, aged 21. He is commemorated on the Groesbeek Memorial to the Missing.