Harold Cocking
In the 1911 census he is a scholar.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Harold Cocking was born in 1896 at Nottingham, he was the son of Albert a mineral water maker and Emma Cocking née Poxon and the brother of Mary Ann, Albert, Ethel and Elsie May Cocking of 20 Hedderley Street Union Road Nottingham.
His father Albert was born in 1867, his mother Emma Poxon was born in 1866 both were born in Nottingham, they were married on 7th October 1886 at St Marys Church, Nottingham, they had 5 children.
In the 1911 census the family are living at 20 Hedderley Street, Union Road, Nottingham, Albert 44 yrs is a mineral water maker, he is living with his wife Emma 45 yrs and their children, Mary Ann 21 yrs a hosiery mender, Albert a bottle labler, Ethel 17 yrs a hosiery chevener, Harold 13 yrs a scholar and Elsie May 12 yrs a scholar.
Harold Cocking first served in 17th Battalion Sherwood Foresters, he was killed in action on 27th May 1918, he has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Soissons Memorial, France.
The battalion was raised in Nottingham by the Mayor and recruiting committee on 1 June 1915. Eventually it was taken over by the War Office and after training landed in France on 6 March 1916. The battalion was disbanded in France on 12 February 1918 and men were sent to other Forester battalions. Harold found himself in the 1st Battalion and would have gone through the battalions hard fought battles in the German Spring Offensive. It was decided to send the various divisions to a quiet sector on the Chemin des Dames. The Germans decided to assault this front next and the battalion found itself battling for survival as the weight of the enemy slowly pushed them back. Harold was one of the many casualties and by the end of May some 680 all ranks had become casualties or prisoners. The 1st Battalion had all but ceased to exist.
John Morse
additional research and information Peter Gillings
Photo of Harold Cocking
Soissons Memorial, France courtesy of CWGC