Col. W. F. D. Cochrane

Col. W. F. D. Cochrane was educated at Kensington School and Sandhurst, passing in 1866 into the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, of the 1st Batt. of which he was adjutant for many years. From 1879 to 1882 he was A.A.G. and C.S.O. of the Cape Colonial Forces, during which time the colony was engaged in a series of wars, commencing with the Morosi affair and ending with the East Griqualand, Tembuland, and Basuto rebellions. He served through the Zulu war at first as Staff Officer to Col. Durnford, and was one of the few survivors from Isandhlwana. He then obtained the command of the Natal Native Horse, and was present at Kambula, Z'lobane Mountain, and Ulundi (medals for Zulu, Basuto, and Transkei wars), his services being brought to the notice of the Colonial and Imperial Govts. In 1882 he received a brevet majority, and took part in the Egyptian War of that year. (Medal.)

From 1883 to 1887 he filled the appointment of D.A.A.G., China and the Straits Settlements ; was D.A.Q.M.G., Headquarters Staff, Ireland, in 1887-8; and from 1890 to 1892 he acted as Asst. Mil. Secy, to Sir W. Gordon Cameron, K.C.B., then commanding in S.A., which appointment he resigned on being selected to command a brigade in the Egyptian Army, in which he served from 1893 to 1898. At the time of the Dongola advance he was in command of the Line of Communication (Sudan Medal), and was afterwards appointed first Governor of the Nubia Province. From 1900 he was C.S.O. for the Belfast Dist. until his retirement from the Army in 1903. Col. Cochrane married in 1893, Carola, dau. or the late T. H. Moller, of Hamburg.

I'm carrying out some research on Cochrane. But before I continue could someone confirm this is the right Cochrane. That ecsape the Battle of Isandlwana.

"Colonel William Francis Dundonald Cochrane was born on 7 August 1847.1 He was the son of Colonel William Marshall Cochrane and Mary Hussey.He married Carola Möller, daughter of Enrique Teodoro Möller, on 30 December 1893. He died on 23 October 1927 at age 80.

Colonel William Francis Dundonald Cochrane fought in the South Arican Campaign between 1878 and 1879.1 He gained the rank of Colonel in the service of the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry.1 He fought in the Egyptian Campaign in 1882.1 He was invested as a Companion, Order of the Bath (C.B.) in 1896.1 He fought in the Sudan Campaign between 1896 and 1898. He gained the rank of Honorary Major-General."

Found out the place of death was London. 23rd October 1927.

Now looking for Grave location.

Littlehand
I do believe when he retired he moved to sussex, possibly buried there.
Regards

Hi Littlehand

I have been looking for William Francis Dundonald Cochrane's grave for a very long time but have not found it yet.

I did come across a website that had his funeral Service but they wanted payment, which I am not willing to pay. So I will have to wait until someone finds it :lol!:

1879Graves

Thanks for all the replies so far!!

1879Graves i'm having the same problem, however came across a few bits of information someone might beable to help with..


(1) [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] When soemone dies and leaves issues. (What doe's that mean)

(2) [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] Did he resign, or was he pushed to resign.

Cochrane was mentioned is a Despatch from Major-General Sir H.H. Kitchener, K.C.M.G., C.B., dated Dongola, 30th September, 1896.

"Lieutenant-Colonel Cochrane (half-pay) was employed on the lines of communication and worked with energy in pushing forward the supplies"

Was half pay a form of punishment?

I have sent a few e-mail's to various people, that may be able to help with location of burial place.

Hi All,
Cochrane was cremated at Golders Green Cemetery, there is no mention what happened to his ashes.
Rai
Keynshamlighthorse

An old 95th Commanding Officer and the full Colonel of the Regiment, General the Hon. F. A. Thesiger (becoming Lord Chelmsford in October this year, on the death of his father), was Commanding in Natal, and, seeing war could not be avoided and wanting to get officers from his old corps, he cabled to the War Office asking for three, Captain A. Tower, Lieutenants W. Here and H. L. Smith-Dorrien, to be sent on special service. This was wired on to the C.O. of the Battalion, and I as Adjutant asked for his orders He merely said he would allow none of us to go. We had a few words about this, and it ended in my wiring to the Military Secretary at the War Office from myself, saying I was ready to start for the Cape at a moment's notice in any capacity in which H.R.H. the Field-Marshal C.-in-C. might think fit to employ me. It really was an unwarrantable piece of cheek, and inexcusable, but it paid, for that same afternoon orders were telegraphed to the C.O. from the War Office ordering me to proceed forthwith to Dartmouth and embark in the Edinburgh Castle. So, three days later, I was on the sea with several other special service officers in a 2,000-ton boat, which was not out-of-the-way small in those days, en route for the Cape. We crossed the line with full ceremonies, Neptune coming on board with his staff of sea-dogs, doctor, barber, etc., and we were all initiated. Lieutenant W. F. D. Cochrane of the 82nd was the life and soul of the ship. Curiously enough, I was given his vacancy, on his time being up in the Egyptian Army, twenty years later, which enabled me to take part in Lord Kitchener's overthrow of the Mahdi.

When within two days' steam of Cape Town we were met by an appalling south-eastern gale, seas mountains high, ship battened down for six days, which time it took us to get into Cape Town. The smells below, especially oil-lamps and bilge-water, cannot be forgotten; but no one complained, for such was the standard in ships in those days.

Memories of Forty-Eight Years Service: Smith-Dorrient.

I'm finding quite a bit of infoe about this chaps familey, but there's not much on him. I'm just wondering if he was dis-owned but them for what ever reason.

Well. I give up. I have spent hours looking for cremations at Golders Green Cemetery. Can find absolutely nothing.

I received this e-mail today from Mr Richard Wells. I sure there are a few members would would like to thank him for helping to locate Col. Cocrane's Resting Place. I will ask Richard if he could send us a photo of the Grave...

"From the Forum website I understand that somebody is trying to establish the resting place of the above officer. I can solve this as his grave is only 100 yards away from my flat here in Surbiton.

The inscription on the grave, which lies at the front entrance of St Marks Church, St Marks Hill Surbiton, reads:
In proud and ever loving memory of William Francis Dundonald Cochrane C.B. Brigadier General
Born 7th August 1847 - Died 23rd October 1927

A Soldier who feared the Lord. Acts X 7

This officer was married to Carola Moller on 30th December 1893. They had a daughter, Carola Maria Rosita Isabel Cochrane, who was born on 15th June 1896 and died on 10th February 1993.

The officers father was William Marshall Cochrane (born 22nd December 1817-died 30th July 1898),also an officer in the Army.His wife - mother of W F D Cochrane - was Mary Hussey, and her details are also included in an inscription on her son's grave:

In memory of Mary, the beloved wife of Lt Col W M Cochrane. Born July 1817 illegible. Died illegible.

The grandfather of W F D Cochrane was Major Hon.William Erskine Cochrane, who was a brother of the famous naval hero Thomas, Lord Cochrane, 10th Earl of Dundonald.

You may like to refer to Page 38 of the January 2011 edition of the magazine 'Who Do You Think You Are', which shows the family tree of Ian Cochrane, a present member of the Cochrane family, who is researching his family history."
Hoping that the above is of some help to you.

Richard Wells

Richard. Thanks for your help. Many of the members will appricate knowing where he rests.

Hi Admin

Can you please pass on my thanks to Richard for all this hard work and well done for finding his grave.
We look forward to seeing a photograph of the grave.

Thanks Richard. Must admit i had given up searching.

Many thanks Richard. We have been wondering where he was layed to rest.

See. Pictorial catalogue of AZW Graves & Memorials.

Well done to Tim. Photo of grave at last.. Quite a few members will be happy.

:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

Thanks to all

Echo Graves1879.
The grave is in very good condition compaired to some we have on the forum. Inscription is in very good condition.

At last. A photo of the Grave,

Can someone help me out please? Does anyone know what Cochrane did during the First Boer War - in particular Oct-Nov 1880?
I suspect secondment to the Commissariat & Transport Dept. but I can't be sure. All help appreciated.

Julian,

I’m away from my books at present, doesn’t Butterworth mention him?

We were only discussing him last night at our lodge.

JY

Hi Julian

Served as Assistant Adjutant-General (principal Staff Officer) to the Cape Colonial Forces during the Basutoland, Tembuland and East Griqualand Campaigns, 1880-1. Was present with the Mafeteng relief column at the capture of Lerothodi’s stronghold and other minor engagements.
Source ‘1884 Army List’ (p 10, 44, 293, 830 & 1241)

Thank you! Very much. Also thanks to the other pm'd source indicating the same thing. It's the Gun (Basuto) War 1880-81 I'm after!

Does anyone know of Cochrane’s connection to the Women's Reserve Ambulance Corps during the Great War?

There is a photograph of him presenting the Colours to “The Green Cross Corps” - the unit’s ambulances had a green rather than a Red Cross - which included many suffragettes.

JY

Morning John
A tenuous link I know but this photograph in the IWM archive shows the leader of the Green Cross Voluntary Service as a Mrs Mocatta which apparently is an Anglo-Jewish name that originally derived from Portugal.
Cochrane married a Chilean woman, Maria Carola.
Spain conquered Chile in the 16th century.
Could there be an old South American link somewhere here between the Green Cross leader and his missus?
Just a thought
Kate

Good morning Kate,

The Cochrane family have a long association with South America, and with Chile in particular, dating back to Admiral Sir Thomas Cochrane, the founder of the Chilean Navy.

Strangely enough you will even find Cochrane in Chile!

JY

Sorry didn't attach the link to the photo

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205358484

Kate

Hi JY

Could this be a connection?

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
Exeter and Plymouth Gazette 24 August 1915.

Andy,

Thanks for that, I did find some other references to his involvement with the Volunteer forces whilst I was looking at the Green Cross Corps material.

Kate,

Thanks for that, I already had a look through the Mrs. Hill archive. The parade outside the Stock Exchange is consistent with the presentation of their Colours.

JY

Is there a date for the colour presentation?

Julian,

At present I only have the year 1915, however, I have purchased the postcard showing the event hopefully it might reveal more.

JY

John is this the postcard in question. Can't get a better image.

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Peter,

Yes that’s the same image.

JY

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Better size image for you Pete.

Andy

Have you found a connection. Perhaps he was the only one available at the time.

Peter,

It all appears to be connected with his training of volunteers during the Great War, rather than just the “Green Cross Corps”.

I was hoping for some else, but that’s another subject.

Thanks all,

JY

Can anyone assist me with or point me in the direction of a photograph of Cochrane? I am looking for something that was taken prior to those in which he is wearing a braided Staff Officer’s uniform.

Thanks in anticipation,

JY

Sorry, John, I've got nothing in my folders.

Julian,

Frankly I find odd, I have found only four photographs of him during his lengthy career, two of which were taken at the same sitting in Dublin.

JY

I'm sure there are more to be found as yet unidentified. Look under 'misplaced files' in the NAM?

Just out of interest.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Peter,

There’s no way on Earth that is William Francis Dundonald Cochrane, I’m afraid to say.

That’s a junior officer in the Scots Guards photographed in the early 20th Century.

Thanks for trying.

JY

I thought that, but the text below was associated to the photo.

Your correct it was "Thomas Hesketh Douglas Blair Cochrane".
Found the same image on another site. (Photo Removed)

Peter,

Not uncommon when comes to the web, errors get proliferated.

JY