A small archive comprising letters (including autograph letters from Montgomery of Alamein and Alexander of Tunis), photographs, memorabilia, dog tags, and war service medals relating to the Cockington brothers from Woodville in suburban Adelaide, SX 3932 Gunner Frederic John Cockington and 407707 Sergeant Percival Cockington (RAAF) [MONTGOMERY of Alamein, and ALEXANDER of Tunis] COCKINGTON, Fred and Percy Africa,Australia,Militaria,Second World War,Signed

Fred (1914-1978) enlisted on 22 May 1940 in the 2/7th Australian Field Regiment, 2nd AIF, 9th Division. He was in the Middle East from 15 December 1941 to 1 February 1943, and at El Alamein from 8 July to 6 December 1942. During that time, 'the Australian 9th Division suffered almost 5,500 casualties. Although the price was fearfully high, they had without doubt played a crucial role in ensuring an Allied victory in North Africa' (Australian War Memorial) under the command of Lieutenant General Bernard Montgomery ('Monty'). He finished the war on active service at Tarakan and Morotai in the South-West Pacific. His medal set comprises the 1939-45 Star, the Africa Star with 8th Army Clasp, the Pacific Star, the Defence Medal, the War Medal 1939-45, and the Australia Service Medal 1939-45. Percy (1921-1942) enlisted in the RAAF on 4 January 1941. He was attached to Number 14 Squadron RAF in Libya when his Marauder aircraft FK367 was shot down off the Libyan coast on 16 December 1942. Although several of the crew survived the crash-landing at sea, his body was never recovered. His medal set comprises the 1939-45 Star, the Africa Star, the War Medal 1939-45, and the Australia Service Medal 1939-45. The archive contains five letters written at the time of Percy's death, a fine portrait photograph of him in flying gear, and another one of his memorial headstone. One of the letters is a delightful long letter (four pages quarto) from Percy to Betty, Fred's fiancée (they married on 1 March 1943), written on 6 December 1942, just ten days before his death. Two of them are official letters, one to his parents and one to Fred, when he was posted as missing. Two of them are from 'Percy's nearest friend' and comrade, 407760 Sergeant George Arnold, also of 14 Squadron. The letters, dated 4 January 1943 (written in error as '42') are to Percy's parents and Fred respectively, and although they cover the same ground, the content and tone are markedly stronger in the latter. 'I hope you won't take it amiss, if I'm pretty frank. Perce was killed in Air Operations about 10 days ago, but I didn't know until yesterday.; talking doesn't do much good now, but Fred, he was game right to the last; his pilot and gunner were saved, you see they were jumped by fighters and the rear gunner was killed and turret gunner wounded. Perce went back from the wireless cabin and bandaged the gunners wound; sent him forward and manned the turret himself, was attacked again and shot down in the sea, and they sank immediately so it was every man for himself, and Percy went missing. We go into this with our eyes open so we know what to expect, but nevertheless, its a big jolt, when your cobbers go, Words can't express my feelings Fred, or how sorry I feel for your family or self, and anyway what's done cannot be rectified'. The archive also includes: (A) An autograph letter signed from Field-Marshal The Viscount Montgomery of Alamein on his personal letterhead. '24 September 1963 | To: The Alamein Group of South Australia [AGSA] | On the 21st Anniversary of the Battle of Alamein I send greetings and good wishes to my old comrades-in-arms in South Australia. May you all have the happy homes you so well deserve. Montgomery of Alamein F.M.'. The original envelope is addressed in Montgomery's hand to Fred Cockington as the Honorary Secretary of the AGSA. (B) A typed letter signed from Alexander of Tunis, dated 26 September 1963, returning thanks to the AGSA 'for the geetings [sic] and good wishes from the Alamein veterans. With all best wishes to you for a happy and successful reunion'. Harold Alexander, 1st Earl Alexander of Tunis, was appointed Commander-in-Chief of Middle East Command, responsible overall for the campaign in North Africa; at the same time, Montgomery was appointed GOC of the British Eighth Army. (C) A quantity of letters, postcards and photographs souvenired from German and Italian soldiers in North Africa in 1942. The German items include six letters i