Ernest Cockayne
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Ernest 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, Nottingham, and his mother was born in 1859 in Beeston, Nottingham. They were married in 1881 (Nottingham registration district). They had 10 children but two died in infancy or childhood prior to 1911. Their children were all born in Nottingham and were: Thomas born 1882, George born 1884, Walter born 1886 (killed in action 4/11/1914), Horace born 1890, Wilfred born 1893 (killed in action 26/9/1915), Nellie born 1895, Ernest born 1898 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 (reg. Nottingham). Thomas' brother-in-law, Simeon Brown, also died in the war (Sherwood Foresters, 31 October 1916); see record on this Roll of Honour.
2/5th Bn Leicestershire Regiment Ernest enlisted on 29th May 1916 aged 18 years and 105 days. He gave his occupation as trimmer. The following day, 30th May, he was placed into the Reserves. He was mobilised on 5th July 1916 and posted to the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on 8th July 1916. He embarked from Folkstone on 19th July 1917 to join the British Expeditionary Force, landing at Boulogne the following day. He was killed in action on 28th September 1917, having served for 1 year and 86 days. He has no known grave and he is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.
Research Peter Gillings 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)
