George Cockerill (British Army officer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George Cockerill
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Sir George Cockerill in 1919, photographed by Walter Stoneman
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| Member of Parliament for Reigate |
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| In office 14 December 1918 – 7 October 1931 |
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| Preceded by | Richard Hamilton Rawson |
| Succeeded by | Gordon Touche |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 13 August 1867 |
| Died | 19 April 1957 (aged 89) |
| Political party | Conservative |
Brigadier-General Sir George Kynaston Cockerill (born August 13, 1867 – died April 19, 1957) was an important figure in British history. He was an officer in the British Army and later became a politician for the Conservative Party.
Contents
Early Life and Military Beginnings
George Cockerill was born in 1867. His father, Robert William Cockerill, was a top medical officer in the army.
George started his army career in February 1888, joining the Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey). He quickly moved up the ranks. By 1889, he was a lieutenant.
Exploring and Serving Abroad
In 1891, George served in the Hazara Expedition. This was a military campaign in a mountainous region. From 1892 to 1895, he explored the eastern Hindu Kush mountains. This area is known for its rugged terrain. For his brave explorations, he won the MacGregor Medal, a special award for military exploration. He also received a gold medal from the Royal United Services Institute in India.
He continued his service in various places. In 1895, he was part of the Chitral Relief Force. This force helped people in the Chitral region. From 1897 to 1898, he served on the North-West Frontier of India. He became a captain in 1899.
The Boer War and Beyond
From 1900 to 1902, George Cockerill was a staff officer during the Second Boer War in South Africa. He helped manage communications for the army. For his service in this war, he was mentioned in official reports for his good work. He was also promoted to major.
After the war, he joined the 4th battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. In 1907, he became a major in the Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment). He retired from regular army service in 1910. However, he stayed active in the army's reserve forces. In 1914, he was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel. He took command of the 7th Royal Fusiliers.
World War I Service
When World War I began, George Cockerill quickly got his battalion ready. He then moved to the War Office, which was the main headquarters for the British Army. He held important roles there. He was the Sub-Director of Military Operations. Later, he became the Deputy Director of Military Intelligence. This meant he was involved in gathering important information for the army. He was also the Director of Special Intelligence. During this time, he earned the rank of Brigadier-General.
For his excellent work during the war, he received many awards. In 1916, he was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath. This is a high honor for military service.
Political Career
After his distinguished military career, George Cockerill entered politics. In the general election of December 1910, he tried to become a Member of Parliament (MP) for Thornbury. However, he did not win that election.
He also worked as a British delegate at the Hague Conference in 1907. This conference discussed international laws and peace.
Serving as an MP
In the 1918 general election, George Cockerill was elected as the MP for the Reigate division in Surrey. He ran as a Coalition Conservative, meaning he was part of the government's ruling group. He won without anyone running against him.
He continued to be a popular MP. He was re-elected without opposition in 1922 and 1923. He won with many votes in 1924 and 1929.
George Cockerill retired from the House of Commons in 1931. Before he retired, he was made a Knight Bachelor in 1926. This meant he could use the title "Sir" before his name.
