258942 L/Cpl. James "Scotty" Cochrane British Army 7th Btn. Royal Tank Regiment from:Coatbridge My father, James Cochrane, was born in 1911 in Coatbridge, Scotland. He joined the British Army and was assigned to the 7th Royal Tank Regiment. He served for six years in India as a young soldier. Outside Delhi he was the driver of an armoured car on a track to intercept Mahatma Gandhi and refuse him entry to Delhi. He prevented his officer from killing Gandhi and his female companion by threatening to shoot the officer if he attempted to do so. During the 2nd World War he was a member of the British Expeditionary Force which entered France with the 7th Tanks. He fought in France and Belgium and was present at Arras where they broke the German supply lines. Thus they inadvertently saved their own lives due to the Germans halting their advance for three days, during which time the 4th and 7th Tanks survivors, under radio orders, destroyed their vehicles and equipment and made their way to Dunkirk without meeting any serious German opposition. The survivors of the 7th Tanks returned to Britain, where the unit was re-formed with men and equipment. The 7th Tanks subsequently went to North Africa, where he was recommended for the double Military Medal for his actions under fire, but refused the decorations and instead wangled a week's leave in Cairo. He was a character with a sharp wit and often bordered on insubordination and became a 25-year professional soldier but could not gain promotion above Corporal whilst in the Armoured Corps. Yet he was the only non-commissioned officer in a British Army Training Group which went undercover to Iraq to train the Iraqis on Tank Warfare. Eventually growing tired of not gaining a promotion, he transferred to the REME. He served in Singapore and Hong Kong. His medals were stolen ten years ago and, despite enquiries, have not been recovered to date. He retired in 1956 and we emigrated to Australia. Dying in 1991, he left a daughter, two sons, and four grandchildren.
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