WW1 Casualty: 2/Lt Charles Oscar John Cocking - 2/Lt Charles Oscar John Cocking
| Unit/Regiment |
5th Bn., South Lancashire Regiment |
| Date of Death |
11/04/1917 |
Age at Death |
26 |
Burial/Memorial
& Reference |
Pont-Du-Hem Military Cemetery, La Gorgue
IV E 1 |
| CWGC Family Details (if shown) |
Son of Walter John and Constance Henrietta Cocking |
| Census Details |
1911 - The Cocking family lived at 70, Lanercost Road, Tulse Hill, London. Charles, aged 20, was single and employed as an Engineer's Draughtsman |
| How Died |
Killed in Action |
Theatre of War |
France & Flanders |
| Notes |
Second Lieutenant Cocking is remembered on the BICC War Memorial. |
| Research Ref. No. |
BI-026 |
Service DetailsA native of London, it would appear that Charles Cocking moved to Prescot in order to work at the Wire Works, sometime between 1911 and 1914.
He initially joined the 2nd County of London Yeomanry as a Private, No 13099, before gaining a commission with the 2/5th Bn of the South Lancashire Regiment.
He went to Egypt on 5th November 1914.
In February 1915, the "Link" reported Cocking in Egypt, having spent four months training in the Syrian desert.
The September 1915 edition of the "Link" tells that Cocking has been converted from Cavalry into Infantry and is now on the Gallipoli Peninsula.
At some point, he transferred back to the 2/5th South Lancashire Regiment and is included in a list of Officers of that Battalion landing in France in November 1916.
The Battalion War Diary for 10th April 1917 refers to a raid, stating "The raid by PAYNTER'S PARTY (trained at Divisional School) took place. Not successful as the enemy seemed to expect it. Our casualties in raid were 2/Lt J C O COCKING missing, 3 other ranks missing, 7 other ranks wounded".
As late as October 1917, the Manchester Evening News reported that he had died whilst a Prisoner of War.
He was originally buried at BEAUCAMPS but in 1923, his body was exhumed and reburied at Pont Du Hem.
Link, April 1917 - "late of the Contract and E.F. Department is officially reported missing. He was engaged on a raid and when last seen was leading his men most gallantly"
Link, September 1917 - Killed in action April 11th 1917 (previously reported missing). Late of the EFD and Contract Department
Charles Cocking was entitled to the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. The correspondence address associated with his medals was the Tulse Hill, London, address.
Charles Cocking's grave at Pont-Du-Hem. Courtesy of George Simpson, June 2015
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