James Cochrane 1881 – 1967

James Cochrane 1881 to 1967 was born into a farming family, the 4th son of Robert and Marion Cochrane. His parents came down from Scotland in 1876 to West End farm in Essendon, Hertfordshire. One of 11 children, his early life was spent in Lemsford where he went to school. June 6th 1899 James enlisted into the Northumberland Fusiliers at Portland. He became a Sergeant 12 June 1912 and 3 years later in 1915 Company Sergeant major he was discharged in 1920 due to termination of engagement a total of 21 years.

On completion of military service, James Cochrane worked for Welwyn Department Store Ltd for 35 years (1926 – 1961) He was presented with a watch when he retired with an inscription on the back ‘ Presented to Mr J Cochrane in appreciation of his 35 years loyal service with Welwyn Department Store Ltd 1926 – 1961

‘A thank you note for Mrs & Miss Holdsworth’

Lemsford News January 1916

Christmas Parcels for the Boys at the Front – As announced last month, the subscriptions for the school prizes would this year be devoted to parcels for our old boys, the present scholars took up the cause with great zest. On Thursday, 9th December, 27 boxes and the necessary contents were taken into school, and the children were very busy packing the individual contents into the several boxes. These consisted of sweets, chocolates, tobacco, cigarettes, cocoa, soap, candles, apples, oranges, cakes, magazines or papers, and a sprig of holly. Then the boxes were tied and afterwards sewn up in canvas. On Tuesday, December 21st, our first reply came. To show how the boys appreciated the contents I have quoted an extract from one of the letters received. “. . . Just a few lines to thank you and the children for the splendid parcel received on December, 15th, in excellent condition. Some of the contents are luxuries and some are just what we want for we cannot get anything here just behind the trenches, where we are now resting before going up again. It seems nice to think we are not forgotten and anything from home is always appreciated. “ Our thanks are due to the following ladies and gentlemen for kindly subscribing to our prize fund this year – Mrs Holdsworth, Colonel Fellows, Mrs Sear, Mr Horn. Ten letters have already been received full of grateful thanks. Image above is Alice Holdsworth

A thank you letter from James Cochrane