I was recently sent some wonderful photographs from the family album of Jon Berry who is a descendant of the Cock family. Alma Godfrey (nee Cock) was his late grandmother. Thanks to Jon for sharing them with us.
William Cock is seated on the far left. Others are unknown. The stout man in white (middle standing) may be G W Hall. – Photo John Berry
William Nicholas Cock – Image Jon Berry
William Nicholas Cock, born October 7, 1870, in Moonta, South Australia, to William Cock and Dinah Tamblyn, was a pastoralist and also operated a tea room and butcher shop in the towns of Agnew and Sandstone, showcasing his business acumen. Tragically, his mother passed away in 1871, when he was just a year old. His father later remarried Ann Amelia Searle, and William grew up with five half-siblings.
William married Deborah Dorothea McDONNELL in Nungarra (near Sandstone, WA) in 1906. Over the following 17 years, the couple would have eight children, all but one born on the Goldfields;
William Alfred, 1906 East Murchison
Valentine Nicholas 1908 Black Range
Frederick John 1910 Black Range
Dorothy Deborah 1912 Black Range
May Lily Ann, 1915, Black Range
Thomas Henry Francis, 191,7, Black Range
Beatrice Grace 1920 Mt Lawley
Alma Joan 1923 Leonora (Jon’s Grandmother)
Grave of William Nicholas ‘Billie’ Cock – Leonora Cemetery – Image Jon Berry
Inland Watch – Leonora – 5 August 1939, page 6
WILLIAM NICHOLAS COCK
The passing of Mr. W. N. Cock at the Leonora Hospital on Sunday, July 23rd, removes a hardy pioneer of the early goldfields days.
The late Mr. Cock “was born at Moonta, S.A., 68 years ago, and had resided in different parts of Western Australia for 47 years. He was educated, in his youth, to be a school teacher, but life on the goldfields held a fascination for him, for in the year 1892, Mr. Cock hit the trail to Cue WA. It was here that Mr. Cock put down the first Government well. He afterwards became a member of a prospecting party which explored the country around Yalgoo, following up by going into business in that town.
Subsequently, the late Mr. Cock conducted an hotel at East Mt Magnet (now Paynesville) and took up the Windsor station in that locality, which he afterwards sold. He then travelled north to Black Range and Nungarra (now Sandstone), and it is believed that he was the first white man to put foot on the latter field.
He opened a large store at Black Range and, after selling the business there, he selected Atley Station, which he later sold and then took up Depot Springs Station. He held this property for several years, and after its disposal Mr. Cock took up Kaluwiri station. The deceased was one of Nature’s gentlemen, kind to a fault, and universally respected. A man of unquestionable character in every respect. No one genuine need was ever turned away by Billie Cock, who rendered substantially practical assistance to many. He is survived by his wife and four daughters (Dorothy, May, Beatrice and Alma) and four sons (William, Valentine, Fred and Thomas).
His son, Thomas Henry Cock, converted the shops into what was to be affectionately known as the Agnew Pub.
Thomas Henry Francis Cock – Image Jon Berry
Postcard of the Agnew Hotel – Image Jon Berry
Stubby holder from the Agnew Hotel, The Prospectors Arms – Image Jon Berry
‘Tiger’ The Managing Director of the Agnew Hotel – Image Jon Berry
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