History of Great Yarmouth and Gorleston-on-Sea

The Cockrill Dynasty

Pavilion Theatre, Gorleston designed by John William Cockrill 1901

Leslie Cockrill, local historian, is quite unusual in that his forbears are not only of interest to himself but also to those of us who are interested in the history of Gorleston. His ancestors, in short, built Gorleston. Had the 'Building Cockrills' never existed then neither would large parts of Gorleston as we know them today.

The family tree below gives access to the life story of William Cockrill and those of his descendants who entered building, construction or architecture. Many of the Cockrills described worked in Gorleston and the surrounding areas. Some who did not have been added as a matter of interest.

The first 'Building Cockrill', William initially worked as a builder in partnership with his brother John Waller Cockrell. However, they parted company and worked separately after they 'fell out', over what we know not ............ read on to discover more about the Cockrill Dynasty

  • William Cockrill (Died as a child)
  • Edward Cockrill
  • Winifred Sarah Scott Cockrill
  • Hilda Cockrill
  • Culmer Hurst Cockrill
  • Frank Leslie Cockrill
  • Gertrude (Rita) Cockrill
  • Stuart John (Jack) Cockrill
  • Harriet Hannah Mary Cockrill
  • James Shattock Cockrill