William Cockel

A Private with the 12th/13th Battalion, William died on 29th of May 1918 aged 21. 

William was born at Lowestoft in 1896, a son of Daniel John and Matilda Cockel. In 1901 his family lived at 4 Thurston Road, and by 1911 at 11 Erskine Place, Factory Street. Records show a variety of spellings for his surname. 

William volunteered and enlisted in the Army at Lowestoft. He joined the 6th (Cyclist) Battalion Suffolk Regiment, service number 2090. In 1917 he was posted to France to serve with the 1/4th Battalion, service number 265306. He was transferred to the Northumberland Fusiliers, service number 235350, and served with the 16th Battalion, until it was disbanded in February 1918, then the 19th Battalion and then the 12/13th Battalion. 

In May 1918 the 12/13th Battalion were at Berry-au-Bac. In the early hours of 27 May they were subjected to a heavy enemy barrage, including gas. The Germans then made a major attack on their left and the battalion had to withdraw to the Cormicy Line and then to Chalons Wood. That evening they moved back to Vaux-Varennes. The next day they continued to withdraw, and that evening were at Jonchery. The battalion faced a further heavy attack on the 29th. From 27 to 29 May the battalion’s casualties were 18 officers and 493 men.

William was reported missing between 27 and 29 May and later presumed to have been killed.