Lance Corporal William Cockburn

Lance Corporal, William Webster Cockburn, 9th ( Service ) Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders. He died in the St. Johns Ambulance Brigade Hospital, Etaples from wounds received during the Battle of Arras on 18th April 1917 aged 35. He was the son of  Samuel and Mary Cockburn of Crosshill, Chirnside and the husband of L. P. A. Cockburn of Canning Town, London and is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery, France..  Before enlisting he had been employed as a shipping clerk in London and joined his Battalion in France in August 1915. 9th Battalion Seaforths was the Pioneer Battalion for the 9th (Scottish) Division. He was educated at the Berwickshire High School, Duns and is also commemorated on the Memorial Tablet placed in the new Berwickshire High School, Duns. The photos show troops during the battle. His Headstone is inscribed ” God Is Love”. After the War an impressive Memorial was raised to commemorate the Division’s part in the Battle. It stands beside the Pointe De Jour Military Cemetery near Arras.