Charles Whalley Cockrill was born circa 1889 in Saltney, Chester. His birth registered Chester Castle Cheshire West (CAS/70/48)
The son of Charles Pritchard Cockrill and his wife Alizon Whalley, who were married in Burnley (Vol. 8e Page 385) in 1892, his first appearance in a census was in 1891.
The family were living at 10, Chester Street, Chester (St. Mary’s without the Walls) and Charles P. Cockrill, 32, was a Coal Merchant & Ship Broker, born Liverpool, Lancs, his wife Alizon, 35, had been born Lower House, Burnley, Lancs. Daughter Margery, 8, Richard G., 5 and Charles W. 2, had all been born in Saltney, Chester. Also there was a general servant Elizabeth HUGHES, 15, who had been born in Scotland, Parish of Lillesley.
The 1901 census shows the family moving close to the border of Flintshire, Hough Green, being literally on the borders of both Flintshire and Cheshire. They are now living at 31 Hough Green, Chester, Lache-cum-Saltney, Part of St. Mary’s. Charles Pritchard Cockrill, now 43 and Alizon 45. Daughter Margery, 18 and a scholar, sons Richard George, 15 and Charles W. 12, made up the family. A general domestic servant Mary Lawton, 18, also lived there.
By 1911 our Charles Whalley, 53, had moved on but his parents had also moved to 55, Hough Green, Chester (8 Rooms), he was still a Coal Merchant & Ship Broker, Employer and had been married 28 years, his wife Alizon, 55, tells us that 3 children had been born and they were still living. Son Richard George, 25, was a Coal Merchant’s Assistant (Worker). Gertrude Jones, 16, was a general servant (Domestic) who had been born in Saltney Ferry, Flintshire.
Sister Margery married in 1909 in a civil marriage in Chester to Reginald Frank Billings. (Cheshire West ROC/56/78) and on the 1911 census they lived at 19, Victoria Road, Chester (8 Rooms), they said they had been married 1 year and no children had been born to them. They had a servant Maggie Williams 18 born in Llanundar, Carnarvon.
Charles Whalley Cockrill had moved down to Gloucestershire and on the 1911 census he was a Boarder living at 43, Cromwell Street, Gloucester, (9 rooms). Clara Louise James, 62. was the head of the household, single and born in Tipton, Staffordshire. Her sister Kathleen Helen James, 45 and single had been born in Newport, Salop. Charles, 22 was a Solicitor, Managing Clerk, Legal Profession and had been born in Saltney, Chester. There was an apprentice house decorator, Albert Henry Scott also a Boarder, age 19, who had been born in born Pentre, Glamorgan.
British Army WWI Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920 about Charles Whalley Cockrill tlles us his first Theatre of War was France and his date of entry was 20th March 1917. On the reverse of Card:- Address:- C.P, COCKRILL, Esq. (Father), Briercliffe, 55, Hough Green, Chester.
UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919 about Charles Whalley Cockrill, confirms his regimental information above and his regiments were Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery. Comments :- [Territorial].
C W Cockrill in the UK, Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929 does not state any Legatee as usual, but these figures – Effects 1917 – 1918 – £19 15s 3d to Cox & Co.; C.P Base – £3.17s.0d and £9.7s.0d. Effects 1918 – 1919 – £123 0s 7d Transfer. There was no War Gratuity.
Charles Whalley Cockrill in the England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1966 – COCKRELL, Charles Whalley of Briercliffe, Hugh-green, Cheshire. Lieutenant, West Riding Royal Field Artillery died 2 February 1918 in France. Probate Chester. 10th May to Charles Pritchard Cockrill coal Merchant. Effects £529 14s 2d.
I do believe that Richard George Cockrill was also in the Army, but survived, as the British Army WWI Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920 about Richard George Cockrill tells us he was a Lieut.; Capt., and he was awarded the Victory & British Medals and the T.F.W.M. Medal*, Theatre of War first served in: – Egypt. Date of entry therein:- 1916. His address was given as:- Balderton Lodge, Chester.
* The TFWM was a medal for those T.F.men who couldn’t also qualify for a star (amongst other criteria). Territorial Force War Medal.
*The Territorial Force War Medal 1914-1919 was awarded to members of the Territorial Force only. To qualify, the recipient had to have been a member of the Territorial Force on or prior to 30 September 1914, and to have served in an operational theatre outside of the United Kingdom between 5 August 1914 and 11 November 1918. Not awarded if awarded a Star.
* I also think that the individual had to have been serving for at least 4 years in the TF prior to the war.