1885 - 1916
CPL David Wallace Crawford
1887 - 1916
Lce-Corpl John Joseph Nickle
1894 - 1916
Pte 17911 Morton Neill
1897 - 1916
Lieut Edward Stanley Ashcroft
1883 - 1918
Pte 15309 George Cochrane
- Age: 27
- From: Bootle
- Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
- D.O.W Thursday 6th July 1916
- Commemorated at: St Sever Cem, Rouen
Panel Ref: A.23.16
In 1889 the family were living at 18 Cairo Street, Kirkdale.
The 1901 Census finds the family living at 1 Herculaneum Road, Liverpool. George is 11 years of age and lives with his parents and three siblings. His father, Charles is 45 years of age, born in St Helens and shown as a head gateman, whilst his mother is 44 years of age and was born in Ditton. George's siblings are shown as; Sarah Ann a 19 year old dressmaker, Elizabeth a 17 year old milliner and Charles Edward aged 13.
By 1911 the family are living at 48 Harrington Pier, Liverpool. George is now 21 years old and is an accountants clerk. His father is shown as a pier master with the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board. He describes himself as married, though his wife is not present at the time of the Census. They have been married for 30 years and four of their five children have survived. George's sister Elizabeth is still living at home and is 27 years of age.
George enlisted at St George's Hall in Liverpool on 31st August 1914 joining the 17th Battalion as Private 15309. He was at the time employed in the accounting department of the Cunard Steamship Company.
He was billeted at Prescot Watch Factory from 14th September 1914, he trained there and also at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 17th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. He arrived in France on 7th November 1915.
On the 1st July 1916 George who was serving with "B" Company was seriously wounded, receiving a compound fracture of his right thigh and humerus. Initially admitted to 96 Field Ambulance, he was transferred via 45 Casualty Clearing Station to No 1 Stationary Hospital (Rouen) where he was admitted on 03rd July 1916. He died from his injuries at 10.30am on 06th July 1916, aged 27.The Battalion diary of the 17th Battalion gives an insight into the action in which George was wounded:
3.30 am the Battalion in position in assembly trenches -Battalion frontage from Maricourt – Briqueterie Rd to 100 yards west of Maricourt – Montauban Rd – 1st wave, 2 platoons of A Company on the right and 2 platoons of B company on the left. 2nd wave remaining platoons of these companies. 3rd wave C Company and 4th wave D Company in parallel trenches at about 100 yards distance. 3rd Battalion 153rd French Infantry on our right and 20 KLR on our left. The Battalion’s objective was Dublin Trench from Dublin Redoubt exclusive to a point 400 yards west.
7.30 am – “Zero Hour”. The assault commenced, some shelling but very slight infantry resistance and little machine gun fire encountered, the work of our artillery having been very effective on the German trenches.
8.30 am – the objective was taken at 08.30 am the French on our right gaining their’s at the same hour. Lieutenant-Colonel B C Fairfax and Commandant Le Petit commanding 3rd Battalion 153rd Regiment arrived together in Dublin Trench. A and B Companies dug in almost 100 yards south of Dublin Trench which the Germans shelled intermittently all day hardly touching the new trench. Casualties up to 12 noon, Captain E C Torrey commanding C Company, Lt D H Scott commanding A Company and 2nd Lieutenant P L Wright wounded 100 other ranks. Later in the day the 90th Brigade took Montauban and the 20th KLR captured the Briqueterie. Lt Scott died of wounds in a French hospital at Cerisy where Captain Mirascou commanding the left Company of the French also lay wounded. Perfect liaison existed between the French and ourselves the above two officers commanding respectively our right Company and the French left Company being in constant touch. Shortly after the attack commenced the Battalion Headquarters moved to a German dugout in Favieres Support under Briqueterie Road where Commandant Le Petit also established his H.Q. During the remainder of the day there was intermittent bombardment of Dublin and Casement and Favieres Support trenches. Rations were brought up safely at night. Disposition of the Battalion – 2 Companies in Dublin and 2 in Casement.
He now rests at St Sever Cemetery, Rouen, France where his headstone bears the epitaph:"IN THE SIGHT OF THE UNWISE THEY SEEM TO DIE BUT THEY ARE IN PEACE".
This is a quote from the Wisdom of Solomon.
During the First World War, Commonwealth camps and hospitals were stationed on the southern outskirts of Rouen. A base supply depot and the 3rd Echelon of General Headquarters were also established in the city.
Almost all of the hospitals at Rouen remained there for practically the whole of the war. They included eight general, five stationary, one British Red Cross, one labour hospital, and No. 2 Convalescent Depot. A number of the dead from these hospitals were buried in other cemeteries, but the great majority were taken to the city cemetery of St. Sever. In September 1916, it was found necessary to begin an extension.
The Cemetery and the Extension adjoin each other but have separate Registers.
St. Sever Cemetery contains 3,082 Commonwealth burials of the First World War. There is also 1 French burial and 1 non war service burial here.The adjoining cemetery extension contains 8,348 Commonwealth burials of the First World War (ten of them unidentified) and in Block "S" there are 328 from the Second World War (18 of them unidentified). There are also 8 Foreign National burials here.
The Commonwealth plots were designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield.
Soldiers effects to mother Elizabeth, sisters Elizabeth and Sarah A. Burgess. Pension to mother.
The Liverpool Daily Post 08th May 1917 carried a Birthday remembrance
COCHRANE - In most loving birthday remembrance of Private George Cochrane, aged 28 years, who died in hospital, France, through wounds received in action, Battle of the Somme, dearly loved youngest son of Charles and Elizabeth Cochrane, 6 Wulstan Street, Kirkdale. (Died a hero):- Lovingly remembered by Father, Mother, Sister, Brother Corporal C. E. Cochrane, R.G.A.
His first anniversary was remembered in the Liverpool Echo 06th July 1917
COCHRANE - In loving memory of Private George Cochrane (K.L.R.), who died in France, of wounds, July 6th 1916.
Nobly he did his duty
Bravely he fought and fell,
But the sorrow of those who mourn him
Only aching hearts can tell.
George is commemorated on the Cunard Roll of Honour now situated in Our Lady and St Nicholas Church, Liverpool.George's brother Charles Edward, who was a clerk with the National Telephone Company prior to the war, served as a Territorial soldier with the Royal Garrison Artillery from 1908, serving in France from September 1917 to May 1919.
In May 1917 he was reduced to the rank of Private for "conduct prejudicial of good order and discipline " by allowing a woman into the guardroom while he was in charge of the guard.
Killed On This Day.
(106 Years this day)Wednesday 17th April 1918.
Pte 235259 John Thomas
40 years old
(106 Years this day)
Wednesday 17th April 1918.
Private Edward Bellion
22 years old