Brigadier John Scott Cockburn DSO

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Urmel
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Brigadier John Scott Cockburn DSO

#1

Post by Urmel » 22 Jan 2014, 08:44

This man showed, in the words of Oscar Wilde, some carelessness in losing his 22nd Armoured Brigade twice to Axis forces in the space of just six weeks during CRUSADER. Does anyone know what happened to him after he was taken off its command?

Many thanks in advance!

http://www.generals.dk/general/Scott-Co ... itain.html
The enemy had superiority in numbers, his tanks were more heavily armoured, they had larger calibre guns with nearly twice the effective range of ours, and their telescopes were superior. 5 RTR 19/11/41

The CRUSADER Project - The Winter Battle 1941/42

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Steen Ammentorp
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Re: Brigadier John Scott Cockburn DSO

#2

Post by Steen Ammentorp » 22 Jan 2014, 17:56

Hi Urmel,

I don't know what happen to him right after his command of 22nd Armd Bde, however he wasn't retired before 4th November 1945, having held the appointment as Officer in Charge Records Office, The Drill Hall, Barnet since May 1945.
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Steen Ammentorp
The Generals of World War Two


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Re: Brigadier John Scott Cockburn DSO

#3

Post by Urmel » 02 Feb 2014, 11:54

Thanks a lot Steen. It seems to be impossible to find anything on the man.
The enemy had superiority in numbers, his tanks were more heavily armoured, they had larger calibre guns with nearly twice the effective range of ours, and their telescopes were superior. 5 RTR 19/11/41

The CRUSADER Project - The Winter Battle 1941/42

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Re: Brigadier John Scott Cockburn DSO

#4

Post by Urmel » 25 Jan 2015, 16:11

Jackpot. Steen, this should help:

http://www.british-genealogy.com/thread ... n-DSO.-MBE

1920 commissioned in the A&SH
1926 Adjutant A&SH Depot, Stirling Castle
1932-34 with 2nd Battalion A&SH in Far East
1937 War Office
1940 GHQ BEF, MBE
1941 CO 5th A&SH/91st AT Rgt RA (A&SH)
1941 CO 22 Armoured Brigade
1944 CO 44 Brigade
1945 Ministry Secretary to General Dempsey, CO 14th Army

If this is all correct...
The enemy had superiority in numbers, his tanks were more heavily armoured, they had larger calibre guns with nearly twice the effective range of ours, and their telescopes were superior. 5 RTR 19/11/41

The CRUSADER Project - The Winter Battle 1941/42

Tom from Cornwall
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Re: Brigadier John Scott Cockburn DSO

#5

Post by Tom from Cornwall » 25 Jan 2015, 19:56

44 Brigade were part of 15 (S) Division in 1944. I've got a feeling that this is two similarly named officers producing a mashed up bio!

The Argylls chap was J.C. Cockburn.

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Tom

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Re: Brigadier John Scott Cockburn DSO

#6

Post by Urmel » 25 Jan 2015, 20:08

Bummer. Back to the drawing board.
The enemy had superiority in numbers, his tanks were more heavily armoured, they had larger calibre guns with nearly twice the effective range of ours, and their telescopes were superior. 5 RTR 19/11/41

The CRUSADER Project - The Winter Battle 1941/42

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Re: Brigadier John Scott Cockburn DSO

#7

Post by gambadier » 26 Jan 2015, 05:21

It would be 'Military Secretary'.

General officers were not 'CO'. As an Army commander Dempsey would have been GOC-in-C, but this role was short lived and he became GOC Malaya.

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Re: Brigadier John Scott Cockburn DSO

#8

Post by Steen Ammentorp » 26 Jan 2015, 15:50

Hi Urmal,

As Tom said the bio is a bit messed up. The A&SH officer was John Cockburn Cockburn - he was also CO 44th Bde.

I have however found another appointment for J.S. Cockburn as Commandant of the Tactical School in India - at least according to Kelly's Handbook to the Titled, Landed and Official Classes, 1969 - after his brigade command.
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Steen Ammentorp
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Re: Brigadier John Scott Cockburn DSO

#9

Post by Urmel » 26 Jan 2015, 16:48

Thanks Steen. I am sure he had some useful experience to pass on.
The enemy had superiority in numbers, his tanks were more heavily armoured, they had larger calibre guns with nearly twice the effective range of ours, and their telescopes were superior. 5 RTR 19/11/41

The CRUSADER Project - The Winter Battle 1941/42

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