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Pte. Reginald Darke Cockwill
British Army 2nd Battalion Devonshire Regiment
from:Totnes, Devon
(d.26th March 1918)
Reginald Cockwill was born in 1888 in Plymouth, Devon, to John Darke Cockwill and Sarah. He was the youngest brother of my great grandfather, Harry Darke Cockwill. Reginald was his closest friend, as well as Harry's brother. Reginald signed up to join the Army on May 18th 1915. He served in France. He wrote regularly to his family, especially Harry. Harry missed him and always kept Reg's last pencil-written letter dated Sunday 18th February 1918, in his wallet.
In 1918, Reg's officer wrote to a local newspaper to tell his wife of his bravery. This newspaper clipping was also kept alongside the letter in wallet by Harry. It reads.
Lieut. K Gatey, writing to the widow of Pte. Reginald Cocktail at Totnes, says: “Your husband was acting as my orderly during the action of the 25th March, and came with me when I went to get in touch with he troops on my left. He was hit in the groin by a machine gun bullet. After the first shock, he did not seem in very much pain and he was taken down in a stretcher as soon as possible after a field dressing had been applied, to No 47 Casualty Clearing Station, and as it had to be evacuated on the 26th, I presume he was buried in the Military Cemetery which I am sorry to say is now in enemy hands. I was badly wounded myself on the evening of the 26th or I should have communicated with you before giving you these particulars which I have just received.Your husband was for over three months invaluable to me as batman, and was in every way an excellent soldier. On the day previous and the day he was wounded he showed the greatest of bravery and coolness under fire, and he will be a great loss to the Devon Regiment. Allow me to express my deepest sympathy to you and his family.”
Reg is buried in France and remembered with honour at the Rosieres British Cemetery. He was awarded the Victory medal, British medal and 1915 Star. (Pip, Squeak and Wilfred!).
