In memory of

Private

James William Cockburn

who died on 25 Jul 1944

Service details
  Conflict WWII
  Service Army
  Unit Black Watch
  Rank Private
  Service number L154196
  Date of death 19440725
  Cause of death killed in action
Narrative history
  L154196 Private (Black Watch) James William (Jim) Cockburn (b.1922) of Briercrest was KIA 19440725 during the push to Falaise and is buried at Bretteville-sur-Laize Canadian war cemetery, Calvados, France. Cockburn was killed at Verrières Ridge near Caen, one of 123 fatalities his battalion suffered that day when they were pinned down by a skilfully camouflaged enemy trap. The Cockburn family came from Wyton near London, Middlesex Co., Ontario, in 1907 to homestead NW28-14-22-W2 just northwest of Rouleau. Jim's parents William J. and Rachel May operated a dairy at Briercrest, and Bill spent 15 years on the council of the RM of Redburn after the war. Jim was dairying with his family when he was called to Regina for NRMA training early in 1943, going active at Prince George five months later. His brother Archie also served in the Army overseas.
       A Glossary of abbreviations to help understand the terms used is available.
Images
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Family history form
Family history form
Map
Newspaper clipping
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Memorial information
  Saskatchewan rural municipality for commemoration 130 - Redburn
  Cemetery or memorial location Bretteville-sur-Laize Canadian war cemetery, Calvados, France    

Please click here to view the cemetery/memorial information on Commonwealth War Graves Commission
  Honour roll location(s) Briercrest
  Geo-memorial Cockburn Lake, Saskatchewan     
  Geo-memorial location 59.5167°N / 105.5333°W
  Geo-memorial NTS map reference 74P12
  Geo-memorial details Namesake nephew Jim Cockburn erected a tribute plaque at Cockburn Lake northeast of Stony Rapids in 2003.
Personal information
  Date of birth 19220720
  Place of birth Briercrest    
  Date of enlistment 19430115
  Place of enlistment Regina    
  Residence on enlistment Briercrest    
  Occupation dairyman
Copyright Information
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