William Ashton Cockshutt

Rank:

Lieutenant

Unit at enlistment:

10th Battalion

Force:

C.E.F.

Volunteered or conscripted:

Volunteered

Survived the war:

Yes

Wounded:

Yes

Cemetery:

Farringdon Cemetery, Brantford, Ontario

Birth country:

Canada

Birth county:

Brant

Birth city:

Brantford, Ontario

Address at enlistment:

172 Chatham Street, Brantford, Ontario

Next of kin address:

172 Chatham Street, Brantford, Ontario

Trade or calling:

Bookkeeper

Religious denominations:

Church of England

Marital status:

Single

Age at enlistment:

Letters and documents

BX September 24, 1915

Lieutenant William Ashton Cockshutt, son of Mr. and Mrs. W.F. Cockshutt, who was wounded at Givenchy, and who returned to the city several weeks ago on a short leave of absence from the firing line, was operated on at the hospital yesterday. Lieut. Cockshutt has not been well since his return to the city, he having been confined to his bed most of the time. This morning the hospital officials report that he is progressing favorably.

BX December 3, 1917

Major William Ashton Cockshutt Home – Has Been Invalided Home and Will go to Hospital

Major Ashton Cockshutt, son of W.F. Cockshutt, M.P., is home on six months’ sick leave and arrived back in the city during the weekend. He has been ill in England for some time and will be sent to a hospital here for treatment. Major Cockshutt was at the front in earlier days of the war and after being wounded came home in September, 1915. As soon as able he became attached to the 125th Battalion and went overseas with it. In a brief interview this morning he stated that the boys were feeling very keenly on the election question and were all for Union government. Major Cockshutt stated that it was a certainty that if recruits were not secured immediately the 5th Division would have to be broken up and that it would disappear. Everything is going along nicely in England, he states, and the Brantford boys at Witley camp are very cheerful.

BX June 7, 1915

Lieut. Ashton Cockshutt and Pte. Hamilton Hit – Former a son of W.F. Cockshutt, M.P., Enlisted at Calgary – Pte. Hamilton, a Brother of Corp. Hamilton, Who Was Last Week Reported Wounded

On Sunday evening W.F. Cockshutt, M.P., received a long distance telephone message from Major-General Sam Hughes, Minister of Militia, apprising him of the wounding of his son, Lieut. Ashton Cockshutt. No details of the nature of the wounds had at that time been received from Ottawa. Although the Minister of Militia stated that it was understood there that the wounds were not of a serious nature. The Major-General added that he would take every possible means to obtain further information and would communicate immediately with the Canadian official eye-witness, Col. Carrick, with that end in view.

Mr. Cockshutt cabled this morning to his son, Lieut. George Cockshutt, who enlisted with the second contingent of Dufferin Rifles, and who is now at Shorncliffe, England, asking him to make enquiries concerning the condition of his son, and to forward to Brantford.

Lieut. Ashton Cockshutt, entered the militia three years ago, and advanced through the ranks to his lieutenancy. At the outbreak of the war he was among the first to volunteer at Calgary, where he had been connected for some time with the offices of the Cockshutt Plow Company, and was assigned to a company of the 10th Battalion. He had qualified for the rank of captain, but had not yet been gazetted. He is unmarried.

BX June 8, 1915

Wounds Were Not of Serious Kind

Mr. W.F. Cockshutt, M.P., this morning received good news from the adjutant-general of Ottawa. It was to the effect that his son. Lieut. Ashton Cockshutt of the 10th Battalion yesterday reported wounded, had been only slightly injured and that he was already back with his company in the thick of the fight.

BX June 15, 1915

Word was received in the city yesterday that Lieutenant William Ashton Cockshutt, son of Mr. and Mrs. W.F. Cockshutt, who enlisted with the first contingent, 10th Battalion, at Calgary, and who last week was reported slightly wounded, had been badly wounded in the left arm. The casualty lists at Ottawa made the announcement officially, and a telegram from the adjutant general was later received by Mr. Cockshutt confirming the report of the wounding of his son. In the afternoon, a cablegram was received from Lieut. George Cockshutt, who is with the second contingent in England, in which he stated of his brother, that “Ashton’s left arm badly wounded.”

It is not known positively whether this is the second time within the past two weeks that Lieut. Cockshutt has been wounded, or whether yesterday’s official report merely gave the latest confirmation from France, of his condition.

BX August 31, 1915

A Rousing Home-Coming Was Tendered To Lieut. A. Cockshutt – Concourse of People Gathered at G.T.R. Station – Wounded Twice in the Hand by a Bursted Hand Grenade While Protecting the Canadian Attack on the German Trenches at Givenchy Lieut. Ashton Cockshutt Was Invalided Home, on Furlough – Brantfordites Honored Son of W.F. and Mrs. Cockshutt on His Return to the City

Brantford citizens last evening accorded a rousing home-coming to Lieut. Ashton Cockshutt, son of Mr. and Mrs. W.F. Cockshutt, Chatham Street, who has returned home on furlough while convalescing. He was supporting one of the flanks of the 7th Battalion in a charge at Givenchy on June 2. Lieut. William Ashton Cockshutt (who enlisted in Calgary in the 10th Canadian Battalion at the very outbreak of hostilities) was twice wounded in the left hand with what he believes was a part of a bursted hand grenade. With true British gameness he determined to remain at his post in the trenches until after three days he was compelled to leave his men and retire from the firing line for medical care. Blood-poisoning set in and from the Duchess of Queensboro Hospital in France. Lieut. Cockshutt returned to England, where he remained for several weeks, vainly endeavoring to secure permission to rejoin his regiment and return to the trenches.

In company with several other Canadian officers, including Lieutenant Arthur Bishop, who was wounded at Fromelles on May 9, later losing the sight of his right eye. Lieut. Cockshutt was given leave of absence and set sail from England on Saturday last on S.S. Missanabie, arriving at Quebec on Sunday, where he was met by his father, W.F. Cockshutt, Mr. Frank Bishop, father of Lieut. Bishop, was not able to go farther east than Toronto, and met his son there yesterday morning, returning to the city with him yesterday afternoon, thereby avoiding the civic reception, which was accorded Lieut. Cockshutt on the arrival of the G.T.R. International Limited at 7.33 p.m.

Talked to Expositor

While speeding through the darkness of the Grand Trunk flier from Toronto, Lieut. Ashton Cockshutt consented reluctantly to chat with a representative of The Expositor, and during the course of a frequently interrupted conversation with the Brantford hero and his justly proud mother, a few facts were garnered concerning the activities of Lieut. Cockshutt during the past few months.

Worked Way Through Ranks

Having commenced his military career as a signaller in the 103rd Regiment, headquartered in Calgary, five years ago, and gained a most valuable experience while making his way from the rank of private until he received his commission as a subaltern in 1913, Lieut. Cockshutt was among the very first of his fellow officers to offer his services to his King and Country when war was declared between Great Britain and Germany. The active service quota from Calgary was absorbed in the 10th Battalion at Valcartier, and preceded to Salisbury Plain with the first contingent in the fall of 1914. After a strenuous winter in the notorious mud and rain of Salisbury, the first overseas contingent, including the 10th Battalion, went to France in February and were shortly given their first taste of modern trench warfare.

Formed Part of Draft

Owing to a slight indisposition at that time Lieut. Cockshutt was unable to go with his command to France and on his recovery in England in company with a number of his fellow soldiers from the West, was held in reserve to act as reinforcements for his battalion. Towards the end of April, when the famous Battle of Langemarck was actually in progress, the call for drafts for the first contingent came and the Brantford officer proceeded to France and into the trenches while the big battle, in which so many Canadians lost their lives, was still raging. Fortunately, the brunt of the battle had been met and the worst of the fighting was over on the arrival of the drafts, and to the bitter disappointment and sorrow of Lieut. Cockshutt he arrived at his old battalion to find that practically all of his former comrades and fellow officers had fallen on the field of battle.

Was Wounded in Hand

For six weeks after Langemarck there was comparative quietness in the trenches, until on June 3, when the 10th Battalion was supporting the right flank of the 7th Brigade in a charge from the front trenches at Givenchy, Lieut. Cockshutt was struck in the hand with two stray pieces of a bursted hand grenade. Despite his painful injuries the Brantford officer “stuck to his guns” and remained in the foremost trenches with his men for three days, until he was compelled to leave the firing line and retire to the rear for medical treatment. Blood-poisoning later set in and for days Lieut. Cockshutt suffered in hospitals in France and in England.

Wanted to Return

After partially recovering from his illness, Lieut. Cockshutt’s first thought was to get back into the firing line with his men, and made application to the medical board to be granted permission to return to France. This was, of course refused, and the young hero was told that it would be several weeks before he could go again into the trenches. Consequently permission was secured to return for a hasty visit to Canada during the convalescent period, and on Saturday, August 21, Lieut. Cockshutt and Lieut. Bishop together with 12 other officers and 22 privates, in command of Captain H.A. Duncan of Collingwood sailed on the S.S. Missanabie for Quebec, arriving at their destination without incident on Sunday.

Refused to Express Opinions

When asked by The Expositor when he believed the belated “spring drive” would take place, Lieut. Cockshutt smiled and said that he knew no more about it than the people in Brantford, and added that he would prefer not to be asked to give his opinion of similar subjects in connection with the war. Lieut. Cockshutt pointed out each of the officers who had returned on the Missanabie with him had agreed not to grant interviews with newspaper representatives, and the only reason he had consented to talk to The Expositor was that he felt that his old home town had at least some reason to claim special consideration.

Hearty Reception at Station

At this juncture, the International Limited was wending its way through the outskirts of the city, and in a moment, the train pulled up at the G.T.R. station, to find dozens of autos and hundreds of citizens and the active service companies in waiting to welcome the returned hero to his home. Mayor Spence greeted Lieut. Cockshutt on stepping from the train and the heartiest of cheers, together with tooting of motor horns and a shrill whistle from the engine of the International Limited which had safely brought its precious passenger to his destination, were accorded the young soldier, as he modestly made his way with his father and mother at his side through the crowd to Mr. Cockshutt’s automobile, which gaily bedecked in flags, awaited his return.

Grateful to Fellow Citizens

As he stepped into the motor, Lieut. Cockshutt was again greeted with a burst of cheers which he accepted with the military salute. When the cheering had subsided, Lieut. Cockshutt in a few words expressed his great pleasure in returning for a short visit to his home, adding that he was determined and anxious to return to the firing line and see the war through to a successful finish.

Cheers For Mrs. Cockshutt

Mayor Spence then stood on the side of the motor, and briefly extended the official welcome to Lieut. Cockshutt on behalf of the citizens of Brantford. Before closing his remarks, the city’s chief magistrate called for three cheers for Mrs. Cockshutt, who in giving up her son had shown the truest kind of patriotism. The appeal was answered by a tremendous outburst of applause. In response, Mr. Cockshutt extended his deep gratitude to the citizens generally for their kindly interest in his son, both while he was at the front and on the occasion of his return. Above all, Mr. Cockshutt was grateful to his God for bringing back his son, and he hoped that in doing his little bit for his country, his son’s action might be emulated by others.

A Procession Formed

A procession of motors, headed by Mr. Cockshutt’s car, then proceeded down Market Street, which was lined by citizens who applauded the returning hero as he passed. Lieut. Cockshutt expects to be in Canada for six weeks, and is not certain whether he will remain in Brantford for the entire period, his whereabouts being determined by his health.

Demonstration Called Off

Mayor Spence had arranged with the Dufferin Rifles band to be present to take part in the home-coming of Brantford’s two officer war heroes. At the request of the family of Lieut. Cockshutt this was called off, they pointing out that already a number of Brantford men, not officers, had returned home quietly, and no demonstration had been arranged for them, while Lieut. Bishop had returned home during the afternoon via radial. On this ground, therefore, Mayor Spence cancelled the arrangements made.

BX July 6, 1990

W. Ashton Cockshutt whose grandfather and great-grandfather started Cockshutt Plow Company Limited and whose family’s history has been tied to Brantford’s for more than 150 years, died early today at Charlotte Villa. He was 97.

“He was a wonderful, wonderful man,” his daughter Janice Kneale said. “He was very interested in the community.”

Mr. Cockshutt was born in 1892 in Brantford and attended school at the Grove in Lakefield and Western Canada College in Calgary. He started working as an office boy at Cockshutt Farm Equipment Ltd. In Calgary in 1909. By 1920 he was sales manager.

He joined the 103rd Calgary Rifles of the Canadian militia and received a commission in 1913, serving with the 10th Battalion overseas in the First World War. He was promoted to the rank of major.

He married Ruth Fitts of Rhode Island. They had a son and three daughters.

Mr. Cockshutt became manager of the Edmonton branch of his family’s company in 1922 and western sales manager in Winnipeg in 1926. He was stationed in Brantford for several years during the Depression.

In 1937, Mr. Cockshutt was appointed vice-president and manger of the subsidiary Frost and Wood Company Ltd. In Smith Falls, Ont. He returned to Brantford about 10 years later to become manager of Brantford Coach and Body Ltd.

He was elected president in 1957 and chairman of the board of directors in 1962.

Mr. Cockshutt was a member of the Ontario executive committee of the Canadian Manufacturing Association and revived the Langton Award by the Foreman’s Clubs of Canada in 1956 for his contribution to foremanship.

Known as one of the city’s biggest boosters, Mrs. Cockshutt was chairman of the Glenhyrst Gardens commission from its beginning in 1957 to 1969. Glenhyrst had been willed to the city by Mr. Cockshutt’s uncle, E.L. Cockshutt.

Mr. Cockshutt was popular, active in the city and had a wide range of interests, said his closet friend, John Stratford, 70.

“He was very interested in all things to do with industry,” said Mr. Stratford.

Ashton Cockshutt was president of the YMCA in 1953 and 1954 when it amalgamated with the YWCA and was active in the Red Cross. He was a member of the Brantford Club, the Rotary Club and the Brantford Golf and Country Club. He was an elder of Farringdon Independent church and a member of Branch 90 Royal Canadian Legion.

Funeral arrangements will be announced later by Beckett Glaves Family Funeral Centre, 88 Brant Ave.

Mr. Cockshutt’s great-grandfather, James came to Toronto from Bradford, Yorkshire, England in 1827. The family’s business had failed during the depression after the Napoleonic wars and James Cockshutt hoped for better luck in North America. He had planned to settle in Pittsburgh, but a friend on the same ship persuaded him to go to Toronto.

The two men opened a general store and James Cockshutt took over a year later. He started a second store in Brantford in 1829 with Christopher Batty. The store was called Batty and Co. and James’ 17 year old son, Ignatius, Ashton’s grandfather, was sent to Brantford to help run it. The store closed but Ignatius returned to Brantford in 1832 to manage another general store, I and J. Cockshutt at the present site of Woolco at Colborne and Market Streets. Ignatius ran the store for 50 years.

James and Ignatius founded Cockshutt Plow Company Limited in 1877.

Ignatius’ son, William, Ashtons’ son’s father was Brantford MP for 15 years and another son, Harry, Ashton’s uncle, was lieutenant governor of Ontario