Military History

Embarked Fremantle per HMAT ‘Argyllshire’ 9.11.1916.
Roll Rank Private
Roll Unit 5th Reinforcement 44th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force.
Cockshott disembarked at Devonport, UK with the 5th Reinforcement 44th Battalion 10.1.1917. He marched in to 11th Training Battalion Durvington 10.1.1917. Cockshott proceeded overseas to France with his unit 19.4.1917. He was taken on strength with 44th Battalion 23.4.1917. The 44th Battalion fought its first major battle at Messines in early June 1917 and later around Ypres on the Somme. Cockshott was wounded in action at Messines with gunshot wound to his back 30.6.1917. He was transferred to England per Hospital Ship ‘St Patrick’ 10.7.1917 and admitted to Bevan Military Hospital at Sandgate. On discharge from hospital he proceeded  to several Depots before  embarking overseas for France 13.9.1918 and rejoined his Battalion in the field 18.9.1918.  The 44th Battalion fought at St. Quentin along the old railway , then at Malakaff farm before proceeding onto the Canal. They  shelled and gassed in their advance towards the Hindenburg Line .(AWM 44th Bn. Diaries.) Cockshott was wounded (2nd time) at the Battle of St Quentin, receiving Shell Concussion 29.9.1918.  The 44th Bn. had 18 Officers and men KIA and 63 wounded in that one days action. Cockshott was invalided to England and admitted to the 2nd Western General Hospital Manchester 5.10.1918. He was listed for early return to Australia as an invalid.
Embarked Portland for Australia per ‘Euripides’ 3.3.1919 (Shell Concussion).
Returned/Disembarked 21.4.1919.
Discharged 2.6.1919.
Final Rank Private, 44th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force.
Medical Condition Invalided Shell Concussion.
Awards and Medals British War Medal, Victory Medal.

Photo Source
                         Cockshott F.P. GGS 1st cricket 1908. Photograph sourced and reproduced with permission of the GGS Archives
                         HMAT 'Argyllshire' 1914-15. Postcard by Geyer Studio NSW, Photograph source AWM P10581.002
                         Only wall standing in Messines, in the Town Square 17.6.1918. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced AWM E01484
                         Allied soldiers at the entry to the St. Quentin Canal, October 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM  H15944
                             
Information Source
AWM P10581.002. HMAT 'Argyllshire' 1914-15. Postcard by Geyer Studio NSW. Photograph sourced from the Pictoria;l Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E01484. Only wall standing in Messines, in the Town Square 17.6.1918. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM H15944. Allied soldiers at the entry to the St. Quentin Canal, October 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial 
AWM4 23/61/24. AIF Unit War Diaries, 44th Battalion September 1918
Australian War Memorial Embarkation Roll- Francis Preston Cockshott
GGS Archives. Cockshott F.P. GGS 1st cricket 1908. Photograph sourced and reproduced with permission of the Guildford Grammar School Archives
Graves Secrets. For additional information on F.P. Cockshott  \see article by Myles, L. and Nelson, J. in the Pictorial Roll of West Australians web page, http://ww1wa.gravesecrets.net/co.html
Guildford Grammar School Honour Roll
NAA: B2455, Cockshott F P



Darlington, WA.

Associated Images