COCKBILL, Edward James
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Rank:
Private
Unit / Base:
8 Commando
'Special Air Service'
Regiment/Corps:
Worcestershire Regiment
Service:
Army
Number:
5257172
P.O.W. number:
253871
Born:
Sunday, February 6, 1916
Birthplace:
Birmingham
Died:
1978
Place died:
Birmingham
Age:
62
Edward Cockbill was a milk salesman before enlisting in the Worcestershire Regiment. From there he volunteered for the Commandos and was attached to No.8 Commando which became part of Layforce for operations in the Middle East.
Private Cockbill joined the newly formed 'L' Detachment, Special Air Service Brigade in 1941. He was reported missing 16 November 1941, later confirmed prisoner of war, after Operation Squatter, the first parachute raid carried out by the SAS on the enemy fighter bases at Gazala and Timimi, Libya. He was in 1 Troop, 1 Section, 'B' Group. There were 5 'sticks' for Operation Squatter. Private Cockbill was in Captain Stirling and Lieutenant Lewes 'stick' on Flight No.1.
Private Cockbill joined the newly formed 'L' Detachment, Special Air Service Brigade in 1941. He was reported missing 16 November 1941, later confirmed prisoner of war, after Operation Squatter, the first parachute raid carried out by the SAS on the enemy fighter bases at Gazala and Timimi, Libya. He was in 1 Troop, 1 Section, 'B' Group. There were 5 'sticks' for Operation Squatter. Private Cockbill was in Captain Stirling and Lieutenant Lewes 'stick' on Flight No.1.
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/35, WO417/38, and WO417/94.
Prisoners of War / National Archives files WO392/11 and WO392/21.
'Special Forces Brothers in Arms: Eoin and Ambrose McGonigal, War in the SAS and SBS', author Patrick McGonigal.
The 1939 Register covering Birmingham (details confirmed by nephew).
Registers of Deaths registered in Birmingham in 1978 (4th Qr).
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