Wilfred Cockayne
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Wilfred was the son of Thomas a general labourer and Jane Cockayne née Yarnold of 3 Monsall Street, Nottingham. His father was born in 1857 in Bramcote and his mother was born in 1859 in Beeston. They were married in 1881 in the Nottingham Registration district. They had 10 children but two died in infancy or childhood prior to 1911. Their children were born in Nottingham and were: Thomas born 1882, George born 1884, Walter born 1886 (DOW 4/11/1914), Horace born 1890, Wilfred born 1893, Nellie born 1895, Ernest born 1898 (KIA 28/9/1917) and Edwin born 1900. On the 1911 census the family was living at 3 Monsall Street, Nottingham. Thomas, a general labourer and Jane lived with their children George and Walter, who were both waiters, Horace and Wilfred who were both hosiery bleachers, Nellie, a machinist and Ernest a sorter bleacher. Edwin was at school. Their eldest son Thomas had married and was living at 3 Ellen Terrace Wilton Road Nottingham with his wife Annie Cockayne (née Brown) whom he married in 1909 in Nottingham. Thomas' brother-in-law, Simeon Brown, also died in the war (Sherwood Foresters, 31 October 1916); see record on this Roll of Honour.
Wilfred served in France from 10 July 1915. He was reported missing in September 1915 but his death was not confirmed until June 1916; his date of death officially accepted as 26 September 1915. Wilfred has no known grave and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial (Panels 46-49). He qualified for the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Research Peter Gillings Registers of Soldiers' Effects: His father, Thomas, was his legatee. Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Local Casualties’, 23 June 1916: ‘Missing, now reported killed, Royal Scots Fusiliers. Cockayne 16260 W (Nottingham).’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 24 October 1917: ‘Cockayne. In memory of our dear son, Ernest Cockayne, signaller, killed in action, September 26th, 1917, aged 19. Also of Wilfred, killed in action September 26th 1915, and Walter, who died of wounds, November 4th, 1914. True brothers in life; united in death. From sorrowing dad, mother, brothers, & sister.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
