James Williams Cocker
Private Clement Lumsden Cocker
Medal Index Card
Newcastle Journal Tuesday 10/10/1916
Newcastle Journal Tuesday 21/12/1915
James Williams Cocker was born in Aberdeen on the 17th March 1882, the second eldest boy of six children to James, [born 20th November 1849, baptised 9th December 1849, died 1911], and Anne (nee Porter), [born 23rd September 1847, baptised on the 17th October 1847 at St Nicholas, died 19th December 1915], Cocker, who were married 11th February 1874 at Union Street, Old Machar, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
They had six children, Clement Lumsden Corker, born 10th March 1880, died 1971, [was a gardner on the Chesters estate], served in the same battalion as his younger brother, John Williams, as the service number 4/1861 is the next one in sequence as they both enlisted together at Hexham, [married a Margaret Jane Blackburn (born 5th July 1890, died 1977), on the 20th March 1915 at Warden Church, Hexham, Northumberland, in 1939 was residing at the Garden House, Deben R.D., Suffolk, England with two children]. Christina J. Corker, born 1877, [was working at 13 and 14 Eldon Square, for the Anderson family as a kitchen maid in 1911], died 1911, Mary William Corker, born 1879, died 11th May 1935, Annie Porter Corker, born 26th August 1886, died 1972 and Georgina Porter born 10th February 1890, died 1973.
In 1881, they are residing at Dunnie Street, Denny, Stirlingshire, Scotland. [James Cocker ran a company called Messrs, James Cockers and Sons Aberdeen. based at 130 Union Street, Aberdeen]. By 1891 they were residing at 1891, Bridgend Cottage, Inch, Wigtownshire, Scotland.
In 1899, James Cocker who was workng at the Morningfield Nursery, Hamilton Place on the 5th July had his watch and chain stolen from his vest pocket after lying it down on a hedge. John Watt Clarke and a John Barron M'Rae were charged having stolen the watches. 40 days prison for Clarke and 21 days for M'Rae.
James Williams Cocker came to the Northeast after 1891 as by 1901 he is an apprentice fitter at the Elswick Ordnance Works at Newcastle-upon-Tyne. He is boarding at 16 Hannah Street, Elswick, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
His parents by 1911 were now residing at Garden House, Chesters Estate, Humshaugh with Clement Lumsden and Georgina Porter. Clement Lumsden was employed by a Mrs N.G. Clayton at Chesters Estate. His father Mr J. Cocker was head gardener, at the Chesters Estate. He made a presentation on the 2nd February 1911, at the George Hotel Chollerford to a Mr Fife who was leaving the Chesters Estate as head gamekeeper after 5 years of service, of a purse of gold.
On the 19th December 1915, John William's mother Annie died at Humshaugh,, and was buried on the 21st December at Warden churchyard.
In 1914 John Williams married Beatrice Welch, born 1894 died 1919.
Thursday 14th October 1915, the Hexham Nursing Association was holding an Exhibition of fruit for sale at the Presbyterian Hall, Hexham, a Mr Cocker of Chesters, Humsaugh was one of the judges.
Also on the following year 12th October 1916, the Hexham Nursing Association was holding an Exhibition of fruit in the Wesleyan School Hall and again a Mr Cocker of Chesters, Humsaugh, was one of the judges.
The Newcastle Journal Friday 06/08/1915, had C. Cocker listed as one of the many wounded for the 1/4th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers.
Also on Tuesday 25/06/1918, Newcastle Journal
"Mrs Clem. Cocker Fourstones, has been notified that her husband Private Clem Cocker, M.M., has been severely gassed and slightly wounded in the hand".
In 1919, Clement Lumsden Cocker with his family moved to Sudbourne Hall, Suffolk, the childern were Anni Jean, boorn, 10th September 1920, Margaret Cocker, born 3rd May 1914, died 21st November 1922, Georgina Porter Cocker born February 1924, died 1927, Clement Lumsden Cocker, born 17th May 1925, died 29th August 1991 and Mary Williams Cocker, born 25th November 1928, died 28th December 2016.
James William Cocker enlisted at Hexham with his brother in September 1914. His service number was 4/1860 and his younger brother Clement was 4/1861. They were in the 1/4th Territorial Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers arriving in France on the 20/21st April, then marched to St Matin's tented camp. After a short rest they entrained in French Cattle trucks and reached Cassel six hours later. They then marched to Winezeele nearer to the city of Ypres and the front line.
On the 3rd August 1915, Clement is wounded by shelling.
Battle of Flers and Courcellette 15th to 22nd September.
149 Brigade sent forward 1/4th and 1/7th Northumberland Fusiliers with 1/5th and 1/6th in support and in reserve. Both of the leading battalions attacked at 6.20 a.m. By 7 am. Hook Trench had fallen and they were in touch with 1/4th East Yorks, (150th Brigade) on the left. They were met with enfilade fire from High Wood at 8.10am. The 1/4th Northumberland Fusiliers were ordered to help 47th Division by bombing towards the wood. The 1/6th and 1/5th Northumberlands wer sent to reinforce the attack.
Soon after 10 am. 1/7th Northumberlands reached the sunken road south of the Bow. Fighting contined on the right, north west of High Wood., where the 1/6th Northumberlands provided a defensive flank. Late in the morning parts of the Starfish line fell. By 3.30 pm. shellfire had forced all the 1/4th Northmberlands back to Hook Trench.
James William Cocker was killed on the 15th September 1916, one of the 110 killed that day with over 143 missing and 229 wounded out of a total of a combat strength 717 men and officers.
His widow received a gratuity of £11 10s.
Acknowledgements to : Anne Park
Val Brassington states :
My Great Great Aunt Beatrice was married to James Cocker. The commemoration scroll and note from Buckingham Palace following Sergeant Cocker's death were sent to her at St John Baptist Mission house, Newport, Monmouth and I have them and the cardboard tube they were sent in. It has a Northumberland Fusiliers stamp.
James Williams Cocker is remembered in Hexham on H51.30, at Humshaugh on H81.01, H81.02 and H81.03.
