Reginald Thomas (Reg) Cockshott
From Our Contribution
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| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | unknown 1894 |
| Place of Birth | Claremont, Western Australia |
| Death | 28 Apr 1967, aged 72 |
| Place of Death | City Beach, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 20 years, 7 months |
| Description | 5'6½" (1.68m) tall; weight 130 lbs (59 kg); fair complexion, grey eyes, fair hair. |
| Occupation | orchardist |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Darlington, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father Mr Thomas Dobson Cockshott |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 1203 |
| Date of Enlistment | 23 Jun 1915 |
| Rank | Gunner |
| Unit/Formation | 10 Light Horse Regiment, 8th Reinforcement, transferred to 12th Field Artillery Brigade, 112 Howitzer Battery |
| Date of Embarkation | 2 Sep 1915 - ? Oct 1915 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A68 Anchises |
| Date of Return | 21 Dec 1918 - 27 Jan 1919 |
| Ship Returned On | HMT Mamari |
| Fate |
Wounded in Action 17 Oct 1918 at St Quentin Canal Returned to Australia |
| Medals |
1914-15 Star British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
Reg was born in late 1894 in Claremont, to parents Thomas Dobson Cockshott and Ada Preston Wells.
Prior to his departure in WW1 the Darlington Progress Association farewelled him with a concert and presentation of a signet ring which is still in the family.
War Service
Reg enlisted in Perth on 16 June 1915. Reg embarked on the HMAT A68 Anchises on the 2nd September 1915 for Egypt
Reg went to Egypt where he contracted mumps 26th January 1916 and was hospitalised in Cairo. While in Egypt he was transferred to the 4th Division Artillery at Serapeum on 7 Apr 1916 and was allocated to the 24th Howitzer Brigade's, later the 12th Field Artillery Brigade's 112th Battery. Appointed as a temporary Driver in May 1916, before moving with his unit to France in the first week of June.
He also served as a driver in France from July 1916 until late January 1917. In February 1917 along with his unit he was transferred to the 12th Field Artillery Brigade and at his own request remustered as a Gunner.
By June 1917 Reg was in Belgium which saw Australians in action at Messines, Mennin Road, Polygon Wood, Broodeseinde and Passchendaele. In 1918 Reg was recorded as being with his unit until he took two weeks leave to the U.K. in September. On his return from leave he was in the battle at St Quentin Canal where he was wounded in action on the 17th Oct 1918.
After 3 days in the 11th Stationary Hospital in Rouen, on 21 Oct 1918 he boarded HMHS St Patrick for England where he was sent to the VAD Hospital in Cheltenham, with gunshot wounds to his left shoulder and hip.
Recovered, Reg enjoyed a 2 week long furlough before returning to Australia on the 21st December 1918 aboard HMT Mamari. He was discharged on the 11th April 1919.
Post War
Reg returned to Darlington and farming until 1925 then took up land at Moodiarrup near Darkin where he spent the next few years clearing the land and growing some crops.
By 1930 Reg had moved to Armadale where he farmed land ("Kookaburra") on Rowley road and was a member of the Roads Board for a year 1931-32. He married a Darlington girl Hilda Sarah Langley in 1933 and they had one daughter. The family had moved to Pinjarra by 1943 where Reg was an Agent , before returning to 'Bellair' on Albany road, Kelmscott by 1949 (farmer).
Retired to Albany road Gosnells by 1958, they then moved to 7 Penryn avenue, City Beach by 1963. Hilda died 27 Apr 1995 aged 92 in Cottesloe.
Notes
Served on Armadale Kelmscott Shire Council for 1 year 1931-32.
Brother Francis served with the 44th Battalion.