John COCKERILL

03 March 1916

COCKERILL – February 20th, killed in France, John, only son of the Rev. J. W. and Mrs. Cockerill of Kettlewell, Skipton.

03 March 1916

SERGEANT JOHN COCKERILL, KETTLEWELL

We regret to record the death, in France, of Sergt. John Cockerill, only son of the Rev. J. W. Cockerill, vicar of Kettlewell. The painfully sad event occurred on February 20th at the headquarters of the Canadian Army Corps, and was the result of wounds received from an aerial bomb dropped from a German aeroplane. From information received by the Vicar of Kettlewell, Sergeant Cockerill left the office at headquarters just before noon on Sunday, the 20th ult. to go down to his billet near the railway station, and while passing down the street, at that time crowded with soldiers and wagons, two bombs were thrown by an enemy aeroplane, which was very high up, and whose objective was to hit the station, an attempt to do so having been made the previous night. Sergt. Cockerill, with several others, soldiers and civilians, some of whom were women, was fatally injured and died in a few minutes. He was unconscious after being hit.

The remains of the gallant soldier (an old Skipton Grammar School boy) were interred the following day, February 21st, in the English part of the cemetery at the head-quarters of the Canadian Army Corps amid the boom of the guns on the other side of the hills. The service was conducted by the Senior Chaplain of the Canadian Corps, assisted by Captain M. Green. In addition to several officers of the headquarters staff of the Corps, nearly all the staff officers and clerks attended. The Corps Commander, who could not be present, was represented by his A.D.C.

A Lieut.-Col. C. H. Mitchell, of the General Staff, Headquarters Corps, writing to the Rey. J. W. Cockerill, says:–

“All the officers and subordinate staff at the headquarters of the Corps. are deeply shocked and grieved over this sudden call to one of our number, but we all know that he lived a good life, and was ready to be taken here or on the front line whenever the call came. We all thought very much of him, and I know that his messmates feel his loss very much indeed. For myself, in whose branch he was employed – the Intelligence – I know I have lost a very excellent assistant. He was an extremely good draughtsman, and careful in his work, hardworking, conscientious and thoughtful of others. Please accept our deepest sympathy in your loss.”

The deceased solder was educated at the Leeds Grammar School and the Skipton Grammar School, and at the latter institution some examples of his work still adorn the walls. He was trained for an engineer in the Leeds Municipal Offices. Three years ago he went out to Canada and engaged in surveyor work for the Canadian Pacific Railway Co. At the outbreak of war young Cockerill volunteered for service, and he joined the Canadian Royal Dragoons. He came over to this country with the first contingent, going out to France early last year where he had a hot time in the trenches. About six months’ ago Sergt. Cockerill was ordered to headquarters as a draughtsman, an honour that followed his sending up plans of fort construction which were highly commended by the Commanding Officer. He was home on leave just after Christmas.

The Vicar and Mrs. Cockerill have the sincere sympathy of the Dale in their painful bereavement.

THE GENERAL’S TESTIMONY

The Vicar has, since the foregoing communication, received the following letter from General A. E. Alderson, commanding the Canadian Army, Corps:–

“I feel I should like to write to you and say how deeply grieved I am and how sincerely I sympathise with you in the death of your gallant son, who was so unexpectedly and unfortunately killed by a bomb on the 20th, February. He had always done well, and was liked and respected by all who knew him. Words seem bare and barren in the case of such a loss, but if the most sincere sympathy both for and with you can be of any help, I can assure you that you have it most truly from myself and all the headquarters staff of the Corps.”

04 August 1916

SKIPTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL – The Roll of Honour

At their day of all days did they think with pride and love of those who – some of those so recently in their midst playing their games, sharing their work, living their life, learning their ideals – had carried these ideals on to the field of battle to fight for King and Country as once they fought for their school. It was impossible to give them a full list of all old boys who had joined the Colours, but they owed it to the memory of these heroes of the Skipton Grammar School who had so willingly given their lives to the Empire to do public honour and reverence to their names.

The following old boys and masters had died on active service:–

Lieut. C. W. Brown, Sergt. J. Cockerill, Second-Lieut. H. Colley, Major M. T. Cookson, Lieut. H. Knowles, Second-Lieut. J. C. McIntyre, Lieut. E.J.C. Supple, Pte. F. Thornton, Second-Lieut. Ian Wilson

Let their example, and the example of all their sons who had so freely responded to their country’s call, be the dominant thought in this their day of thanksgiving. God give them grace to keep the tradition that they had made for them.