Description

-WWI Military Cross George V unnamed as issued

-WWI War Medal named Major P.L. Cockerill

-WWI Victory Medal named Major P.L. Cockerill with MID Oakleaf

Mounted in attractive felt and wooden frame. Including ribbon bar.

Major P.L Cockerill M.C. 2nd Battalion 16th London Regiment Queen’s Westminster Rifles.

Percy Lawrence Cockerill was born in 1882. The 1891 census recorded the family as living at 40 Howard House in Westminster. He is listed in the London Gazette 12th March 1912 as being appointed as a Lieutenant in the Queen’s Westminster Rifles from 20th January (page 1834). He is shown again in London Gazette same rank September 1914. He was promoted to Captain temporarily 3rd October 1914. London Gazette January 1916 shows him with the same rank. Supplement to the London Gazette April 1917 promotes him to temporary Major. Supplement to the London Gazette 21st November 1917 confirms him as being attached to Headquarter units. Confirmed Military Cross awarded London Gazette 1st January 1919. The Times of London 27th June 1919 confirms his appointment to Messrs. Grenfell & Company Stock Brokers from 1st July. After the War he was involved in a high profile divorce case. Egerton v Egerton and Cockerill (before Mr Justice Hill). In an undefended suit, Major V.C. Egerton sued for divorce from his wife Ivy on the grounds of her adultery with Percy Cockerill a Stock Broker (formerly an Officer in the Army.). The Egertons married June 1903. In October 1914 Egerton introduced Cockerill to his wife and invited him to his house. In October 1918 he came home on leave and found his wife seemed worried and cold to him. While he was staying in Southsea with her he found an affectionate letter from Cockerill dated August 1918. His suspicions were aroused and he tied his wife with infidelity. She assured him there was no cause for anxiety but he spoke to Cockerill and demanded an explanation. In which he assured him that their relations were perfectly innocent. In November 1918, he was deployed to Salonika. At some point he received a letter from Cockerill in which he said ‘I fully realise how great my sin is…suffering to a man especially to a man, guilty of such a crime which I am not to be considered but one must think of Ivy in this respect. One thing you may be certain of on your return that you will find our lives just as harmless as when you went away.’ On his return from Salonika and Palestine, he took his wife and children on holiday to Southsea. During August he was obliged to return to London for a few days and afterwards discovered that Cockerill had taken advantage of his absence to go to Southsea to commit adultery with his wife. At this point he consulted a solicitor. Mr Justice Hill assessed damages at £2000 and he pronounced the Decree Nisi with full costs against Cockerill and Egerton the custody of the 2 children. He ordered that the damages to be paid into court within 14 days. The above details are from the High Court, court minutes, petition filed 28th October 1919, Degree Nici issued 20th May 1920 confirmed 20th November 1920. Egerton had claimed £5000 damages. He appears to have continued to be a Stock Broker until his retirement October 1950.

During WWI he served in the 2nd Battalion 16th London Regt. (Queen’s Westminster Rifles in the 179th Brigade 2/2nd London division.) The 2/2nd London Division was formed from the Home Service of the Territorial Force. Percy arrived in France on 22nd June 1916 with the rank of captain. His address at the time was recorded as 3 London Wall buildings, London EC2. He was awarded the Military Cross London Gazette 1st January 1919 and was twice mentioned in Dispatches London Gazette 28th November 1917 and 14th June 1918. In civilian life he was a Stock Broker.

With copy research and London Gazette entries.

Condition as shown in photographs