Berwickshire News Tuesday 22/02/1916

Berwickshire News Tuesday 15/02/1916

13 Sergeants who landed at Gallipoli inc Cockburn

Photo : Brian Chandler

Berwickshire News Tuesday 23/02/1915

Andrew Cockburn was the youngest son, born on the 24th March 1886, at 18 Ness Street, Berwick-upon-Tweed to James Cockburn, [who worked at Berwick branch Co-op], and his wife Margaret, daughter of James Simpson.

The couple had nine children, John [James], Mary, Robert, Isabella, Margaret, William, George, Eliza and Andrew.

Andrew was educated at the Holy Trinity Church of England Aided School in Berwick-upon-Tweed, and the National Boys School, and after leaving school was a grocer's assistant along with his brother George. He was a member of the Bankhill Presbyterian Church congregation.

Andrew enlisted in the 1st Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers in 1904 at Berwick Barracks. After two years he was sent with his battalion to India. In 1911 he was a Corporal, prior to being being promoted to a Sergeant.

August 1914, the 1st battalion was in Lucknow, India. It returned to England on the 28th December 1914 and came under orders of 87th Brigade, 29th Division. It then moved to Rugby. Then sailed from Avonmouth on the 18th March 1915 and landed at Cape Helles on Gallipoli on the 25th April 1915. On the 8th January 1916, it was evacuated from Gallipoli and moved to Alexandra in Egypt. Then on the 18th March 1916, it arrived at Marseilles for service in France.

Sergeant Andrew Cockburn was one of the escort members chosen [along with Sergeant Scott see photo], when the Regimental Colours were taken to Berwick Barracks, just few days before sailing for the Dardanelles.

He took part in the heavy and hard fighting in the summer of 1915 in the Gallipoli Campaign.

He was invalided to a Maltese hospital in August 1916. Spent one month in an Egyptian Hospital, and then was sent back to the UK in October to Netley Hospital, Southampton, where he was recovering slowly from Dysentery, but typhoid supervened and he died on Wednesday, 9th February 1916.

He had over 12 years Army service.

He was unmarried.

The Berwickshire News 22/02/1916, gives an account of his funeral:-

Sergt. [sic] Cockburn's funeral on Saturday took place from the house to Berwick Cemetery. The remains had been brought overnight from London. Prior to the funeral a short service was said in the house by Rev. R. Leggat, Bankhill Church. The coffin, which was covered with the Union Jack, was carried to the hearse by 6 Sergeants from Berwick Depot, and the rest of the Depot Sergeants followed behind the hearse. A firing party of old service men, and under the charge of Capt. Keith, headed the procession and the pipes and drum band of 2-10th Royal Scots played mournful dirges on the way to the cemetery. The chief mourners were Mr Jas Cockburn (father), L-Cpl. J. Cockburn, 7th N.F., Sergt. John Cockburn, K.O.S.B., Mr R. Cockburn, Sergt. W. Cockburn, 7th N.F., (brothers), Sergt.-Major W. Rutherford, 7th N.F., and Mr Geo. Nesbitt, Wallsend (brothers-in-law), Mr Lawrie, Cumledge Mills and Mr Simpson, Coldstream (uncles), Masters Edward and Arthur Rutherford (nephews). Among the general mourners were Lieut, and Qr-Master Staple , 6th K.O.SB., Mr T. Darling, Mr H.R. Smail, Mr W. F. O'Connell (Headmaster of Berwick Boys' National School, of which Sergt. Cockurn was a former pupil). Pte. T. Derry, 5th Royal Scots (who was discharged from Netley Hospital on the day before Sergt. Cockburn died). Mr Rutherford, Mr R. Ross, Mr G. Martin, Mr A. Carstairs, Mr Jno. Paterson, Mr R. Logan Ald Turnbull, Ald Short, Mr C. Telford, Mr S. Weatherburn, Rev. R.C. Inglis, Mr Smith, Mr Thompson.

After the burial service three Volleys were fired over the grave, and the last post sounded. A large number of beautiful floral tributes were laid on the grave from:- Father and Mother; Brothers and Sisters; Jim and Annie; Meg and Bill; Bella and George; Liza; Mr and Ms Nesbitt; Cousin Jessie; Agnes; Girls, 20 Tweed St; Warant Officers and Sergts, Depot K.O.S.B.; Staff Sergeants Depot, K.O.S.B.; Sergts, Mess Depot K.O.S.B..; Messrs Darling; Mrs Evans. The funeral arrangements were capably carried out by Messrs Lillie and Renwick, Berwick.

The photograph of the 13 Sergeants [above right] was the last picture that Sergeant Cockburn sent his parents before he was embarked to the Dardanelles.

The sergeants are from left to right. Standing-Signalling Sergt. Drummond; Sergt. Killan (wounded); Sergt. Scott (killed); Sergt. Cockburn (died of dysentery); Sergt. Vardar (missing); Sergt. Kenifeck (wounded); Sergt. Parkinson (wounded). Sitting-Sergt. Tunbull (wounded, and rejoined); Sergt. Morrison (wounded and rejoined); Sergt. Wilkie; C.Q.M.S. Brown (killed); C.S.M. Douglas (died of wounds); Sergt. Foreman (wounded, arm amputated).

These men were all in 'A' Company at the Dardenelles when the 1st Battalion were landed. Within 3 months Sergeant Cockburn the tallest of them all about 6 foot tall, was the only sergeant left unscathed out of his Company. Two were wounded at the beginning of the landings and rejoined the Regiment [Sergts. Turnbull and Morrison].

Andrew had 4 brothers also serving.

De Ruvigny Roll of Honour

He is remembered at Berwick-upon-Tweed on B25.01, B25.08, B25.19 and B25.40

The CWGC entry for Sergeant Cockburn