Gunner Robert Cochrane (6975323) served in 1st Maritime Regiment, Royal Artillery during World War Two. He was the son of James Cochrane and Elizabeth Cochrane of Antrim, Co. Antrim. James worked as the Head Porter at Antrim Railway Station and before that at a station in Castledawson.
Robert had 7 years’ service before the outbreak of the Second World War. He rejoined in 1939, enlisting in the Royal Artillery. He died on 2nd March 1945 in an accident in Seaham, Durham, United Kingdom. Gunner Cochrane fell from a ship while boarding the vessel and drowned in the Seaham harbour.
Robert Cochrane’s grave is in Section C, Square 21, Grave 7 of Ballymena New Cemetery, Ballymena, Co. Antrim. His headstone bears the inscription:
Only a step from this dark shore to the happy land all sorrows o’er.