Harris Bland Cuckson
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
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Harris Bland Cuckson was the son of Sarah Ann Cuckson. His mother Sarah Ann was born in Gamston, near Retford, Nottinghamshire, in 1871, the daughter of John and Martha Cuckson. In 1881 she was living with her parents and brothers, William (14) and James (12) in Gamston. Sarah's son Harris Bland was born on 7 August 1892 and baptised at Gamston St Peter on 11 May 1893. In 1901 they were living with Sarah's widowed father, John, in Gamston. Saraj married John Stocks at Gamston St Peter on 7 May 1902 and they had a son Ernest William in 1902 (O/N/D) who died aged 5 months in 1903 (J/F/M East Retford). In 1911 John (45 b. Gamston), a farm labourer, and Sarah Ann (39) were living in Gamston. Harris (18) was employed as a farm servant by William Day, farmer, at Eaton, near Retford. At the time Harris' death was confirmed in 1918, John and Sarah were living on Sutton Lane End, Retford. In 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled, the widowed Sarah was living in Gamston; she died in 1943 (A/M/J East Retford).
Served as Harris Cuckson. Harris enlisted at Retford on 15th December 1916 and served with the 12th battalion The Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire Regiment). He was reported missing in action on 3 May 1917 but his death on that date was not confirmed until May the following year. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras memorial, France (Bay 4). He qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Retford and Worksop Herald & North Notts Advertiser, 18 September 1917: ‘Gamston Casualties … Pte Harris Cuckson, West Yorks., has been missing for several months.' 'Pte Harris Bland Cuckson' Retford Times 10th May 1918 'Pte Harris Bland Cuckson (24), West Yorks, who has been missing since May 3rd 1917, is now officially re[ported to have died on that date or in other ways since. He was the son of Mrs Stocks and stepson of Mr John Stocks, Sutton Lane End, Retford. The late Pte H B Cuckson was a native of Gamston and had been in the employ of Mr John White, Markham Moor: Mr Day, Eaton; and Mr Gettenby, near Whitwell. At the time he joined the Army, December 15th 1916, he was working at Messrs W J Jenkins and Co’s Engineering Works, Retford, and was much respected by his chums.' The above report was also printed in the Retford and Worksop Herald & North Notts Advertiser, 14 May 1918. Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his mother, Sarah Stocks, was his sole legatee.
