Thomas. Cockayne
16th Service Bn
The XX Lancashire Fusiliers
( 2nd Salford Pals)
1914 - 1918

Mr. P. Sheridan has sent in these pics of his Grandfather, during WW1. Also included is his will, which is a little crude, but does the job intended! A bit different from the pre-printed wills of my time in the 1960s. There are two group photographs in case anyone recognises a friend/relative. A long shot, but you never know!


11267 Sgt T Cockayne was awarded the Military Medal, published in the London Gazette of 25 June 1918.

7588 SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 27 JUNE 1918
11267 Sjt. T.. Cockayne,. Lan.. Fus. (Wenton).
http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/ViewPDF.aspx?pdf=30768&geotype=London&gpn=7588&type=ArchivedSupplement
Page&all=cockayne&exact=&atleast=&similar



The photo is of his medal ribbons and his soldier's tin "



World War One Princess Mary Tobacco Tin

The tobacco tin dates from 1914, the year the First World War began.
Princess Mary was the third child and only daughter of King George V and Queen Mary. During Christmas, 1914, the Princess set up a special fund for servicemen and nurses who were stationed overseas during the first Christmas of the war. Each received a Princess Mary’s Gift Box on Christmas Day.

Embossed on the brass tin lid, is an image of Princess Mary and her monogram of ‘M’. On each corner are the names of places where troops were based. Each tin’s contents were varied due to different groups of people which included non-smokers, different religions, troops from India and nurses stationed at the front in France.

This tin contained one ounce of pipe tobacco, twenty cigarettes, a pipe, tinder lighter, Christmas card and photograph. This tin still contains a sealed packet of tobacco labelled ‘Her Royal Highness the Princess Mary’s Christmas Fund 1914’