Son of John and Mary Kate Cochran, of Melbourne. A noted lawn tennis player in South Africa. Served in South African War, 1899-02 with Victorian Bushmen and 1st Commonwealth Regts. and South African Campaign with Natal Light Horse. He served in the Boer War 1899-1901 with the 3rd Victorian (Bushmen's) Contingent and was invalided back to Australia in May 1901. It is believed that he fought with the Natal Light Horse during the campaign in German South West Africa prior to his appointment as Lieutenant in the 2nd South African Infantry in September 1915. He embarked for England in December of that year and was appointed temporary Captain in May 1916, and temporary Major in April 1917. He assumed the temporary command of the 2nd South African Infantry in August 1917, and of the 3rd South African Infantry in October 1917, being appointed Brigade Major in November 1917, attached to Headquarters.
D.S.O. London Gazette 3 June 1918: "For distinguished service in connection with military operations in France and Flanders." M.I.D. London Gazette 28 December 1917 and 28 May 1918.