Following call-up in 1942 and initial training at Colchester North Camp, Pte John Cocker was posted to the 2nd Battalion Royal Sussex, which he joined in Cairo after landing at Port Said in northern Egypt. The Battalion was on its way to Persia and Iraq following the battle of El Alamein and the pursuit of Rommel’s Afrika Korps. The task of PAIFORCE was to secure the Main Supply Route (MSR) from Basra to the Russian occupied sector of Persia for the enormous amount of allied Lend-Lease equipment moving from the Gulf to support the Russian offensives against Axis forces; whilst there he partook in mountain training on the Russian border. At the end of the war the 2nd Battalion moved to Tel Aviv in Palestine and onto Trieste in Italy, where they squared off against the Yugoslav Partisans who wanted to occupy the port. This was denied by a show of force from UK forces. Repatriated to the UK John was discharged in 1946 at Crowborough Camp. John is now residing in Silver Court Care Home in East Grinstead and on Friday11th of April 2025 his family and the staff laid on a special spread for him. His son had sent off to the Medal Office in Droitwich for his unclaimed medals and the Chichester & District Branch of the Royal Sussex Regimental Association supplied a new beret, cap badge and Regimental tie, Mid Sussex presented him with a Regimental Baseball cap and several Branches had members present for the occasion. Following speeches by the Mayor of East Grinstead, Councillor Stephen Ody, and the Chairman, Barry Lane, John was presented with his memorabilia and medals by veterans from the Association. It was then outside into the sunshine for photographs and a rendition of ‘Sussex-by-the-Sea’ led by John, and food supplied by the staff of the care home. A remarkable Day.
