Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 19001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 548

(x) A Great War M.B.E. group of four to Major T. Cokayne, Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment, late Rifle Brigade, who served as a Musketry Staff Officer in Northern Command during the Great War and latterly as a Weapons Training Advisor at G.H.Q. of the Army of the Black Sea at Constantinople

Placed on the Retired List in April 1920, he nonetheless served as Officer Commanding 'C' Company of the 14th (Derbyshire) Battalion, Home Guard, during the Second World War, an impressive feat for the holder of an Edwardian L.S. & G.C. Medal

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member's 2nd type breast badge, hallmarks for London 1919; British War Medal 1914-20 (2. Lieut. T. Cokayne.); Defence Medal 1939-45; Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (589 Q. M. Sjt: Instr: T. Cokayne, S. of M.), light contact marks, otherwise very fine and better (4)

M.B.E. London Gazette 30 May 1919.

Thomas Cokayne was born in Derby, Derbyshire, the son of Sarah and Francis Cokayne, in 1874. Attesting at the age of 16, he began his military career by serving with the 1st Derbyshire Regiment from 1890 to 1896, before joining the School of Musketry at Hythe, Kent, and serving as a Musketry Instructor and later as a Sergeant-Major from 1896 to 1914.

During the Great War he served at home, first with the 9th Battalion, Rifle Brigade, from 25 August 1914 to 7 April 1915, and later with the Sherwood Foresters as Assistant Instructor in Musketry, until 25 September 1916, when he took on the role of Musketry Staff Officer in the Northern Command.

Following the end of the Great War, Thomas was seconded as a Weapons Training Advisor in Turkey, and subsequently gained employment in 1928 with the chemical company British Celanese Ltd., Spondon, as an Inspector of the Vigilance Staff. The company name originated from a contraction of 'cellulose' and 'ease', the resultant acetate fibres proving to be softer, stronger and cheaper than almost all other fabrics used at the time, including satin and taffeta, and ideal for the manufacture of garments.

During the Second World War Thomas served with the Local Defence Volunteers at Derby from 14 May 1940 to 23 August 1940. He subsequently acted as Major in the 12th Derbyshire (Belper) Battalion until August 1943, before commanding the 14th Derbyshire Battalion. He married Agnes Flora Flood at Dover in 1897, having presumably met her whilst serving in Kent, and the couple went on to have six children, four girls and two boys. Thomas died at home at 136 Stenson Road, Derby, aged 76, on 10 December 1950 and was interred at Normanton Cemetery.


Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£240