| Cockburn | George Murray | | Major | COCKBURN, GEORGE MURRAY, Major, was born 9 January 1856, son of Admiral J H Cockburn. He was educated at Eton, and joined the 80th Foot, as Lieutenant, 11 November 1876, and the Rifle Brigade 30 December 1876; was Instructor of Musketry, Rifle Brigade, 7 August 1880 to 31 March 1883; Captain 28 August 1884; Adjutant, Rifle Brigade, 1 April 1884 to 31 March 1889, and Major 14 November 1894. He served in the Nile Expedition in 1898, being present at the Battle of Khartoum; was mentioned in Despatches 30 September 1898; received the Medal and the Egyptian Medal with clasp, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 15 November 1898]: "George Murray Cockburn, Major, The Rifle Brigade, The Prince Consort's Own. In recognition of services daring the recent operations in the Sudan". The Insignia were sent to the Officer Commanding, Malta. The presentation was deferred, and the decoration was presented at Kandia, Crete, by Sir H Chermside, on 3 April 1899. Major Cockburn was District Inspector of Musketry, Eastern District, 14 July 1896 to 21 January 1898. He served in the South African War, 1899 to 1901, being present at, the operations in Natal in 1899, including the action at Lombard's Kop, Defence of Ladysmith, including action of 6 January 1900. Operations in Natal, March to June 1900, including action at Laing's Nek (6 to 9 June). Operations in the Transvaal 10 November 1903 to November 1901. He was in command of the 2nd Battalion Rifle Brigade, from 28 August 1903 to 13 October 1901; was mentioned in Despatches (Sir R H Buller, 13 September and 9 November 1903) [London Gazette, 8 February 1931]; was given the Brevet of Lieutenant Colonel, and received the Queen's Medal with three clasps. He became Lieutenant Colonel 15 October 1901; was given the Brevet of Colonel 8 May 1904, and retired with the rank of Colonel 15 October 1905. Colonel Cockburn married, in 1905, Alice Lindsay, daughter of Hasell Rodwell, of Tower House, Ipswich, and widow of Charles Reginald Orde, Rifle Brigade.
CBE (1st, mil), DSO, Queen's Sudan, QSA (4) DofL LN Belf 01, 1914-15 Star, BWN, VM, 1903 Delhi Durbar, Khedive Sudan (1) Khartoum. KRRC Museum, Winchester.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | (Prince Consort's Own) Rifle Brigade |
