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James Cochrane 1898 – 1982 – Survived War

James Cochrane 1898 – 1982 Born in Hatfield Hyde he was the 3rd son of John and Lucy Cochrane. He moved with his parents to Valley Road Corner as a small baby and later to one of the Brocket Cottages on Church Hill. He went to Lemsford School starting at 3 and leaving at 14. For a short while he worked in Brocket Gardens under Mr Kent.

On the 1st of May 1915 James enlisted with the Hertfordshire Territorial Reinforcement at Hertford. Later as a corporal he took a contingent of 120 sixteen year olds to Etaples in France. He was transferred to the 12th Royal Sussex Regiment and was promoted on the battlefield to Sergeant (Somme 1917) A story is told of how he crawled into ‘No Mans Land’ during a battle and pulled back a seriously wounded soldier to Allied Lines. He managed to do this by hooking his feet under the armpits of the soldier, a Mr Church from Hatfield. Sometime later he was wounded himself.

Lemsford News October 1917

War Note: We regret to hear that Sergeant James Cochrane has been seriously wounded. We gather that the bullet, after passing through his elbow, entered his chest. His escape was providential, and we sincerely hope that he will soon be restored to health again. He is at present in Hospital in Sheffield.

After recovery, James Cochrane was seconded to the Northern Army School of Instruction at Thetford, eventually becoming senior Musketry Officer. Following demobilisation in March 1919 James went to Canada. He took over the homestead of his eldest brother who had sadly drowned in Lake Saskatoon whilst trying to save a friend. He farmed in Alberta with his brother Dave for 16 years returning to England in 1934. He married Betty Beech form Wheathampstead and lived in Welwyn Garden City for the rest of his life. He worked at Norton Grinding Wheel Co for 25 years until his retirement in 1960.

Discharge Papers for James Cochrane