South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project |
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Military History |
| Theatre of War | Medals | Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial |
|---|---|---|
| France and Flanders | 1914-15 Star, British War & Victory Medals | Dickiebusch New Military Cemetery |
| Arrived in Theatre | Medal Citation (if app) | SWFHS Area Memorials |
| 25 Aug 1915 in France | ~ | Alcester |
| Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed | Date and Place Enlisted | Other War Memorials |
| Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele) | January 1915 at Stratford on Avon | ~ |
| Place of Death | Previous Regiments or Units | |
| Lankhof Farm, Ypres | ~ | |
Circumstances Leading to Death (Normally from War Diary)
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William is listed as being killed in action on 13 Jul 1917, the war diary for that day is transcribed below along with an obiturary from the Stratford Herald on 24 Aug 1917. It appears that William was killed during an enemy artillery barrage. War DairyLakehof Farm, Ypres 13th: Spoli Bank was heavily shelled from 6.30am to 9.30am with 5.9" and 8" but after that hostile artillery was quieter than usual for the rest of the day. The following man was awarded the Military Medal for Bravery in the Field and devotion to duty. No 41206 Driver H. Thirkell D/103rd Bde. END Newspaper ObituaryKILLED IN ACTION Mrs. Cockbill of Seggs Lane, Alcester has received the sad news of the death of her husband, Driver William Cockbill of the R.F.A. In a letter to Mrs. Cockbill the chaplain to the brigade expressed the deep sympathy of them all in the great loss she had sustained, adding that both officers and men spoke with great kindness of driver cocktail and with deep regret at his loss. They all felt that they had lost a friend. It was something to feel that he had won the liking and respects of his companions and do any funeral took place at a small cemetery just a few miles behind the firing line practically every man in the battery was present to show the last signs of respect. Much sympathy is expressed with Mrs. Cockbill and her family in her bereavement. |
| Personal & Family History |
| Birth Date/Place | Baptism Date/Place |
|---|---|
| 1 Apr 1880 at Alcester | 29 Aug 1890 at Alcester |
| Parents Names | Abode |
| George and Mary Ann Cockbill | Evesham Street, Alcester |
| Wife & Marriage Date/Place | Children & Year of Birth |
| [Edith] Emma Cockbill nee Styler | Wilfred George born 16 Nov 1902 | John Cecil born 25 May 1904 |
| 14 Sep 1902 at Alcester | Robert Leslie born 14 Sep 1906 |
| Schools | Colleges |
| ~ | |
| Address History | Employment History |
| 1881 - Gashouse Lane, Alcester | 1891 - Labourer |
| 1891 - Eveshaw Street, Alcester | 1901 - Bycycle Pedal Maker |
| 1901 - Eveshaw Street, Alcester | 1902 - Labourer |
| 1911 - Seggs Lane, Alcester | 1911 - Carter at Arrow Mills |
| 1916 - Seggs Lane, Alcester |