Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

George Daniel and Ellen Gertrude Cockshell had three sons. Their youngest born on the 2nd November 1913 was given three first names, William Daniel Colin but was called Colin. His other brothers were named Laurence George S. (Lawrie) and Harry Bertram Charlton. Colin was born at Appila, an historic town in the mid-north of South Australia.
A traumatic childhood accident occurred when Colin was eight years old and older brother Harry was eleven. Both were riding a horse together towards their father in a paddock when it bolted. Both boys were thrown but Colin’s foot remained tangled in the stirrup, causing him to be dragged about 15 chains (300 metres) before his foot was released, according to an Advertiser report. ‘The lad was picked up unconscious. Dr. Douglas found the child had his left arm and collarbone broken, with abrasions and bruises about the head arms and legs.’
With the outbreak of WWII, Colin enlisted to serve on the 30th November 1940, just after his 27th birthday. He was allocated the number SX10464 and was soon on his way to serve in Tobruk, Syria and Egypt with the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. By the start of April 1941, the 2/48th were in Tobruk where the dust, flies, heat, minimal water supplies and constant bombardment were quite a challenge to new enlistees. They were to become the famed Rats of Tobruk.
Conditions were ever-changing and the fighting continuous. The action between October 25th and 26th 1942 meant that the survivors of an horrific explosion and subsequent fighting were not always able to immediately retrieve their fallen men. 28-year-old Colin was killed under these conditions.
John Glenn in ‘Tobruk to Tarakan’ describes the carnage caused by the chance hit by an enemy shell on a truck loaded with mines.
‘An ear shattering explosion dwarfed the sound of the guns into insignificance. Seven other trucks, all ladened with mines, had been set off. The whole area became a ghastly raging inferno. As trucks burned and exploded a great wall of fire shot into the sky. The gun flashes seemed dimmed; night was turned into day. The concussion was terrific. Steve Fitzgerald who was bringing up the mortar truck, which was laden with bombs, was seventy or so yards behind the trucks when the first one went off. His vehicle rocked in the blast, and, blinded by the flash, he was thrown clear out of it and onto the ground. Russ Lucas and Doug Richardson, who were manning a wireless set in a nearby trench, were temporarily stunned, but by gallant effort they got one man out of the trucks. He died in their arms. Parts of their wireless set were never found; the batteries were picked up two hundred yards away. Two thousand mines went up in this explosion; all the war equipment of both B and D Companies was destroyed. Of the ten men who were in the vehicles, not one was saved. They were: Corporal R. Bryant, W.D. Cockshell, W.C. Quinn, J.J. Buckley, H.S. Searle, W.A. Craig, C. Fraser, C.H. Schulz, C.E. Dolling and F. Parkyn.’
Colin’s death was reported back home in the Advertiser on the 24th November: ‘Mr. and Mrs. G. D. Cockshell, of Jabuk, have been notified that their youngest son, Pte. W. D. C. (Colin) Cockshell, 29, was killed in action on October 25-26. Pte. Cockshell served in Tobruk, Syria, and Egypt, and was for a time attached to the RASC’ (Royal Army Service Corps).
Colin was initially buried in the field with those who were killed with him. He was later re-buried on the 25th January ’43 then on the 27th March 1945 in the El Alamein Cemetery, Plot A IV Row E. Grave 10. His family chose the inscription for his headstone ‘His Duty Nobly Done’. He now lies with Corporal Roland Bryant SX7296 and Privates Harry Searle SX8143, William A Craig WX9850, Charles E. Dolling SX13512, Joseph Buckley SX8459, William C. Quinn SX7176, Clem Schulz SX7732 and Sergeant Charlie Fraser SX7260, all from the 2/48th Battalion and killed in the same explosion.
Family and friends continued to remember Colin, as did his country communities. His name appears on the Jabuk War Memorial gates and also the Peake War Memorial.
Advertiser November 1942, COCKSHELL. —In loving memory of Colin, killed in action in Egypt. Oct. 26, aged 29. —Ever remembered by his brother Harry. sister-in-law Agnes, and niece Marie, of Marryatville. COCKSHELL. —A loving tribute to Colin, killed in action. Egypt, Oct. 26. — Ever remembered by Mrs. Hughes. Doreen, Cliff and Will Marryatville. COCKSHELL. — Killed In action In Egypt, Oct. 25-26, Pte. W. D. C. (Colin), dearly loved youngest son of George D. and Ellen G. Cockshell, Jabuk, and brother of Lawrie and Harry. In his 29th year, sadly mourned. COCKSHELL. —In memory of our friend Colin, killed In action October 25 or 26. We will always remember. —inserted by Prater, Liebow, McMahon families. Alberton.
Advertiser Monday 25 October 1943, COCKSHELL. —A tribute to the memory of Colin, who paid the supreme sacrifice in Egypt. Oct. 25-26. 1942.—Always remembered by Uncle Will, Aunt Elsie, cousins Glen. Kyrle (RAAF) Ron, Trevor, and Delma Chambers. COCKSHELL-—A tribute of honor and remembrance to Colin, who made the supreme sacrifice at El Alamein. on Oct 25, 1942. Not just today but every day in silence I remember. —Laurel. COCKSHELL. —A tribute to the memory of my friend, killed at El Alamein. Oct. 25. 1942. One of the best. —inserted by R. W. King. A.I.F., returned. COCKSHELL. —In loving memory of Colin, killed El Alamein. Oct. 25. 1942 Memories will linger with us always. — Harry. Agnes. Marie. COCKSHELL. —In proud memory of Colin, killed in action Oct. 25. 1942. We shall always remember. —inserted by friends. Mr. and Mrs. McMahon. Mr and Mrs. Frater. Mr. and Mrs. Liebow, Colleen and Joan. COCKSHELL —In loving memory of Colin, killed El Alamein, Oct. 25. 1942.— Ever remembered by Mrs. Hughes. Doreen Cliff, Bill. AIF. COCKSHELL. —In fond memory of Colin, who paid supreme sacrifice at El Alamein, October 26. 1942. We are ever near you in thought. —inserted by Rene and Ern Staben (A.LF). COCKSHELL, Pte. W. D. C—In memory of Colin, killed in action Oct. 25, 1942. Silent memories true and tender, just to show we will always remember. —Inserted by loving brother Laurie, sister-in-law Mavis, nephew and niece John and Fae. COCKSHELL, W. D. C.—In memory of Colin, killed at El Alamein, October 25, 1942, aged 28 years. Memories are treasures no one can steal; death leaves a heartache no one can heal. —Inserted by his parents, George and Nellie. COCKSHELL. —A tribute of honor and remembrance to Colin, who made the supreme sacrifice at El Alamein on Oct. 25, 1942. Not just today, but every day. In silence I remember. —Laurel. COCKSHELL.—In loving, memory ot Colin, killed in action October 26. To be with us in the same old way would be dearest wish today. —Remembered, Jean and Lorna. COCKSHELL, Pte, W. D. C.—ln memory -of Colin, killed in action Oct. 25, 1942. ' Silent memories true and tender. Just to show we will always remember. —inserted by loving brother Laurie, sister-in-law I Mavis, nephew and niece John and Fae. COCKSHELL, W. D. C—ln memory of Colin, killed at El Alamein, October 25, 1942, aged 28 years. Memories are a treasure no one can steal; death leaves a heartache no one can heal —Inserted by his parents, George and Nellie
Advertiser Wednesday 25 October 1944, COCKSHELL, W. D. C.—ln loving memory of our youngest son Colin, killed at El Alamein Oct. 25. 1942, aged 28 years. His smile a beautiful memory, his absence a lasting sorrow. —inserted by his father and mother. COCKSHELL. - In loving memory of Colin, killed in action at El Alamein. Oct. 25, 1942. There's a face that is always with us. there's a voice we would love to hear, there's a smile we always remember of a brother so dear. —inserted by Harry and Agnes. COCKSHELL. —A tribute to the memory ot Colin, who was killed In action at El Alamein. Oct. 25-26. 1942.— Honored in memory by Uncle Will, Aunt Elsie, cousins Ron, Glenn. Kyrle. Trevor, and Delma Chambers. COCKSHELL. —In loving memory of Colin, killed In action El Alamein. Oct. 25, 1942. Time drifts on. two years have passed. but memories of you will always last. —inserted by Mrs. Hughes, Doreen, Cliff, Bill (AIF.). COCKSHELL. Pte. W. D. C—ln loving memory of Colin, who was killed at El Alamein. Oct. 25. 1942. No matter what the years may bring, memories always cling. —inserted by his loving brother Laurie, sister-in-law Mavis, nephew and niece. COCKSHELL. —In honored memory of our friend Colin, who gave his young life at El Alamein on October 25-26, 1942. —Rene and Ern Staben, A.I.F. COCKSHELL. —In loving memory of Pte. Colin Cockshell, killed October 26, 1942. Deep down in our hearts a memory is kept. —Ever remembered, Jean and Lorna.
Advertiser Thursday 25 October 1945, COCKSHELL. Pte. W. D. C—ln loving memory of Colin, who was killed in action at El Alamein. October 25, 1942. No pen can write, no words can tell, how much we miss you. —inserted by his father, brother Laurie, sister-in-law Mavis, nephew and nieces. COCKSHELL. —A tribute to the memory of Colin, who paid the supreme sacrifice at El Alamein, on October 25, 1942. His duty nobly done. —inserted by Uncle Will, Aunt Elsie and cousins Ron, Glenn, Kyrle, Trevor and Delmar Chambers, of Blyth COCKSHELL. —In loving memory of Colin, who made supreme sacrifice at El Alamein. Not just today, but every day. —Inserted by Harry and Agnes. COCKSHELL. —In fond memory of Colin, killed in action El Alamein, 25/10/1942. —Ever remembered by Mrs. Hughes and family.
Advertiser Friday 25 October 1946, COCKSHELL. —In loving memory of Colin killed in action El Alamein, October 25. 1942 Always in our hearts, Harry, Agnes. COCKSHELL. —In loving memory of Colin, killed El Alamein, October 25, 1942 Always remembered —Mrs M. A. Hughes and family. COCKSHELL. —In remembrance of Colin, who paid the supreme sacrifice at El Alamein on October 25. 1942. Honored in memory by Uncle Will, Aunt Elsie, and cousins Ron. Glenn. Kyrle Trevor and Delma Chambers of Blyth. COCKSHELL, Pte. W. D. C—ln loving memory of our son and brother Colin, killed in action. El Alamein, October 25. 1942. Memories always remain. —inserted by his father, Laurie and Mavis.

Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.