The cemetery volunteers have done an incredible job of clearing and revealing the grave of Scottish rugby international Dr. Charles Reid. In doing so they have also revealed the fallen headstone of the Cocks family buried in the row behind.
Here is another family who moved across the country and a head of household who changed his occupation, presumably to one that was more lucrative.
William Cocks was a joiner at the time of his marriage to Sarah Townsend Ulett in 1864. His father Thomas was a cabinet maker so both men were skilled craftsmen.
At the time of the 1871 census William was living at 45 Cheltenham Street where he worked as a Coach Body Finisher in the GWR. Sarah and the children were staying with her parents in Birmingham but she obviously joined him at some point as their son Ernest Albert was born in Swindon in the autumn of 1871.
By 1881 the family were living in High Wycombe where William then worked as an Insurance Agent. Perhaps work in the railway factory was too insecure at this time. In 1891 they were in Hungerford where William worked for the Super Prudential Assurance Company and in 1901 William and Sarah were living at 8 Turl Street, Swindon. William aged 66 was still working as an insurance agent and their son Ernest as a dispenser. Two daughters had married – Pauline lived with her husband Walter William Poulston in Brecon where they worked as Hairdresser and Fancy Dealers and where her spinster sisters Lillian and Eugenie often stayed. Ada married Albert John Gomm and lived in 15 Durham Street, Swindon in the 1940s.
The Cocks family headstone cleaned up after its reveal
Sarah Townsend Cocks died aged 69 years at her home 8 Turl Street. She was buried on May 15 in grave plot E8445. Her son Ernest Albert Cocks, the only one of her children who was born in Swindon died later that same year aged 34 years. He was buried on November 6 with his mother. William Cocks moved to Bristol where he lived with his unmarried daughter Eugenie at 2 Rookery Road, Knowle. He died in January 1918 aged 82 years and was buried with his wife and son. The last person buried in this family grave is Albert John Gomm, the husband of Ada Frances, who died in 1947 and was buried on April 3.
Radnor Street Cemetery 