William Archibald Cochrane

Submitted by wollongongcityl... on Thu, 12/03/2015 - 18:19

First Name:

William

Middle Name:

Archibald

Last Name:

Cochrane

Mother's Name:

Mary Cochrane

Father's Name:

John (Jack) Cochrane

Date Enlisted:

Thursday, October 14, 1915

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Unit:

18th Battalion

Company:

9th Reinforcement

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Thursday, September 20, 1917

Place of Death:

Ypres, Belgium

Cause of Death:

KIA

Details:

William Archibald Cochrane (Service No. 3801) was born in Woonona and enlisted at Lithgow on 14th October 1915. On his enlistment forms William stated he was a labourer, aged 21 years and 4 months, however the Australian Roll of Honour, Canberrra records his age of death as 19 years. If this is correct William was about 17 when he enlisted. However, William also recorded that he had previously served with 'Infantry' for 2 years.

William's next of kin was his father, Jack Cochrane, of High Street, Woonona.

William embarked from Sydney, with the 18th Battalion, 9th Reinforcements, on board HMAT A54 Runic, on 20 January, 1916. The troops disembarked at Alexandria, Egypt on 26 February 1916. William arrived in France on 10 August 1916.

In July 1916 William was admitted to hospital for just over 3 weeks, the first of a number of hospital admissions while serving in France.

On 20 September William was killed in action in Belgium.

There is no known grave for William, but his name is commemorated at the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial (Panel 23), Belgium. William is also listed on the Honour Rolls at the Australan War Memorial (panel 85, Commemorative Area) and at Woonona Presbyterian Church.

Sources:

NAA: B2455 COCHRANE W A