Wyndham History

John Robert Cockerell (c1894-1974)

Item

Placeholder image - Veteran.png

Dublin Core

Type

Title

John Robert Cockerell (c1894-1974)

Date

1916

Publisher

Wyndham City Libraries

Format

text

Language

eng

World War One Veterans Item Type Metadata

Name

John Robert Cockerell

Birth Date

Birthplace

Service Number

3133 1st enlistment
7354 2nd enlistment

Next of Kin

Robert Cockerell
Swan Hill
Father

Occupation

Marital Status

Single

Death Date

Place of Burial

Eaglehawk Cemetery,
Greater Bendigo City,
Victoria

Biographical Text

No.7354  John Robert Cockerell
John Robert Cockerell was born in 1874 in Whittlesea to Robert Cockerell and Mary Priscilla Jolley.  He had 3 brothers:
  • Albert Edward (who also served in the war),
  • Charles Ernest
  • George Leslie
and two sisters:
  • Edith May
  • Eliza Mary
His mother died in 1903 and his father remarried, Annie Phelan in 1904 and subsequently John had several half siblings:
  • Leonard Lachlan
  • Alphonse Edward
  • Veronica
  • William Joseph Aubrey
War Service
John enlisted into the army at Broadmeadows Victoria on 17 October 1916. He was aged twenty two years and eleven months and he was five feet  seven and a half inches tall. He weighed one hundred and thirty five pounds and had a chest measurement  of thirty to thirty two inches. His complexion was listed as fair, with blue eyes and brown hair. All of this was recorded at the time of his enlistment.

However he was unsuccessful and was Discharged - AVO Medically unfit on 19 December 1916.  Details from his war records mentioned the following in the medical report on an invalid:
John had typhoid fever 1911, complicated by thrombosis in left femoral vein. Since then has had swelling in left leg and enlarged abdominal veins.
What is his present condition and progress? Markedly enlarged superficial veins in suprapubic region. Slight swelling in left lower extremity thigh (L) measures 1 inch more than thigh ( R ) swelling increased after long exertion.

John enlisted into the army for a second time at Royce Park Victoria on 30 January 1917.  He was aged twenty three years and three months and was five feet and eight inches tall. John weighed  one hundred and fourty pounds and had  a chest measurement of thirty one to thirty three inches. His complexion was listed as medium, with blue eyes and dark brown hair. All of this was recorded at the time of his enlistment.

His service number was 7354 and he embarked from Melbourne, Victoria on board HMAT A70 Ballarat on February 1917. He was with the 6th Battalion, 24th Reinforcment and was a Corporal.

He disembarked at Devonport on 25 April 1917. He proceeded to France via Southampton on 18 October 2017 and  arrived to his battalion on 3 November 1917. John was admitted to hospital on 8 December 1917 and rejoined his battalion on 28 December 2017.  He was back in and out of hospital in May and June 1918 and marched back to England on 9 August 1918. John was promoted to corporal on 1 February 1919 and spent the year on duty from 6th Battalion ex France in London.
He returned to Australia on 9 January 1920.

Post War
John married Gladys Doreen Porter in 1928  and spent most of his life in the areas of Swan Hill and Bendigo  according to Electoral records.

He died on 1 November 1974 in Bendigo, aged 80 years and is buried at Eaglehawk Cemetery, Greater Bendigo City, Victoria.

Medals and Entitlements:
  • British War Medal - 9 December 1922
  • Victory Medal - 9 December 1922

Bibliography

AIF Project
https://aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=56646

NAA https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au

Medals and Entitlements

British War Medal
Victory Medal

Citation

“John Robert Cockerell (c1894-1974),” Wyndham History, accessed September 28, 2023, http://www.wyndhamhistory.net.au/items/show/2433.

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