Leslie Maurice Cockerell died in London On April 24th, 1943, at the age of 70.

He was educated privately at Cambridge and in Madeira, and in 1890 joined a United States surveying party in Colorado and Utah. In the following year he became an assistant to Albert Grothe, beginning his mining work in 1893 with the United Mexican Mines Association in Guanajuato, Mexico. In 1894 he became assistant manager to the Nayal Gold Mines, Guanajuato, and in 1895 took a similar position with the Ethel Reef Gold Mines, New Zealand. In 1896 he returned to the U.S.A., and after working two years with the Payette Alluvial Gold Co., Idaho, he rejoined the United Mexican Mines Association, becoming general manager in 1899. In 1904 he began his reporting work, at first in Mexico, and later in many parts of North and South America, Europe, Africa, and the Near East.

In 1914 he joined the Army Intelligence Service, leaving with the rank of Captain in 1917 to become secretary of the Mineral Resources Department of the Ministry of Munitions, later succeeding Sir Lionel Phillips as Controller of the Department. For his services during the 1914-18 war he was awarded the O.B.E.

In 1922 he resumed his consulting practice, with his headquarters at 3, London Wall Buildings, London, E.C.

Mr. Cockerell was elected a Member of the Institution in 1915.

Vol. 53, Trans I.M.M. 1943-4, p. 427

Back to index page