Arthur Cockayne
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Arthur Cockayne was the son of Tom Cockayne and Susannah Draper who married at Nottingham in 1897. Tom Cockayne already had a child, Lizzie (b.1885) from an earlier marriage while he and Susannah had three children: Arthur (b.1897), Ethel (b.1900) and Ada (b.1901). The family homes were at: The ‘Duke of Newcastle’ 126 Kirkwhite Street, Meadows [C.1901] and 24, Sutton Street, Nottingham [C.1911]. Tom Cockayne had initially been a beer house keeper but by 1911 the Cockaynes had left the pub and he was working as a joiner. He died at Nottingham, aged 50, in 1913. In 1914 Susannah Cockayne married Samuel Wright in the Basford registration district. When Arthur Cockayne’s death notice was inserted in the local paper the family were living at 41 Walker Street, Radford [n.e.p.29.10.1918]. Susannah Wright died in the Melton Mowbray area, aged 76, in 1950. Her second husband, Samuel, died there, aged 81, in 1966.
1st Bn Cambridgeshire Regiment Pte. Cockayne was called up for service and following training was drafted to France. He was killed in action on 23 September 1918 as the British army advanced to the Hindenburg Line and was buried at Epehy Wood Farm Cemetery, Epehy (grave ref VI.D.9). The history of the cemetery indicates that Ernest's grave was brought in from battlefields or smaller cemeteries in the area after the Armistice. CWGC - History of Epehy Wood Farm Cemetery (extract): The village of Epehy lies between Cambrai and Peronne, about 18 km from Peronne. 'The village of Epehy was captured at the beginning of April 1917. It was lost on 22 March 1918 after a spirited defence by the Leicester Brigade of the 21st Division and the 2nd Royal Munster Fusiliers. It was retaken (in the Battle of Epehy) on 18 September 1918, by the 7th Norfolks, 9th Essex and 1st/1st Cambridgeshires of the 12th (Eastern) Division. The cemetery takes its name from the Ferme du Bois, a little to the east. Plots I and II were made by the 12th Division after the capture of the village, and contain the graves of officers and men who died in September 1918 (or, in a few instances, in April 1917 and March 1918). Plots III-VI were made after the Armistice when graves were brought in from the battlefields surrounding Epehy and the following smaller cemeteries [listed].' (www.cwgc.org)
Personal inscription CWGC headstone: 'Though lost to sight to memory ever dear.' Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 29 October 1918: ‘Cockayne. Killed in action, September 20th (sic), 1918, Pte Arthur Cockayne, Cambridgeshire Regt., dearly beloved son of the late Tom Cockayne and Susannah Wright, stepson of Samuel Wright, 31 Wallen-street, Radford. From his broken-hearted mother and dad.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 29 October 1918: ‘Cockayne. Killed in action, September 20th (sic), 1918, Pte Arthur Cockayne, Cambridgeshire Regt. From his sorrowing sisters and brother-in-law Jim (prisoner in Germany).’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 29 October 1918: ‘Cockayne. Killed in action, September 20th (sic), 1918, Pte Arthur Cockayne, Cambrideshire Regt. From his sorrowing grandma, Harry, aunties, uncles.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’ 29 September 1919: ‘Cockayne. In loving remembrance of our dear son, Pte Arthur Cockayne fell in action Sept. 29th 1918. (-) for ever in memory and love. Mother and step-father.’’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’ 29 September 1919: ‘Cockayne. Sweet is the memory of our dear brother, Pte. Arthur Cockayne, killed in France Sept. 29th 1918 (-) for ever. Sisters Ethel, Adia, Lizzie brother-in-law Jim.’’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 29 September 1918: ‘Cockayne. In loving memory of Pte. Arthur Cockayne, killed in France Sept. 29th, 1918. Fondly remembered by his grandma and aunt Carrie.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
