The Old Cranbrookian community has recently lost a special member of a notable group of sports enthusiasts who were at the School in the late 1940s.

Sadly, Michael “Mike” Cochrane died at his home in Barnes on Christmas Day 2025.

He and his twin brother, Pat, arrived at the School in September 1944 to begin boarding in Cornwallis and Crowden respectively. 

While both brothers contributed hugely to school life in all sports, the O.T.C. (later to become the C.C.F,) music and drama it was Michael who became Head of House and Captain of both Hockey and Cricket in 1949. He was described as “an inspiring Captain” of the Hockey XI, being ”ever quick to give a word of praise”. In his final term of cricket, he completed his fourth season in the School 1st XI, having taken 134 wickets with cultured off-spin bowling and was also appointed Captain of Kent Young Amateurs. 

Michael was awarded a Choral Scholarship to Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge. In spite of missing a lot of hockey in his 2nd year, due to a back injury, he won his hockey Blue in February 1954, when the University match was played at Beckenham. He was already playing Club Hockey for Dulwich H.C. and county hockey for Kent at this time.

Michael’s strong personality and leadership skills were soon recognized as he went on to become Captain of Dulwich H.C. (1957-1964) and Kent (1961-1963). Although his own career did not go beyond Divisional level and a Final England Trial, he continued to influence the game of hockey in attracting high quality University players to Dulwich and through various rôles as a Selector. He was also a much respected Captain of the Hornets, an invitation club, whose teams regularly played against international opposition and who once beat the Indian National team when they were touring the UK in 1967.      

Michael had a prominent business career as a Senior Advertising Executive with the International Publishing Corporation and, having grown up living near Littlestone G.C., he enjoyed playing golf to a high standard, at one time having memberships at four prestigious clubs in the London area.

Michael and several of his contemporaries were extremely active supporters of Old Cranbrookian events. Bryan Williams (R 44-48) and Ken Robertson (R 45-50) ran the O.C. Rugby for several years; Oliver Pemberton (C 42-48) founded the O.C. Hockey Club in 1957 and he, John Bluett (R 44-48) and Dick Nye (H 41-49) would join Michael in returning to Cranbrook to play O.C. hockey and cricket against the School for many years after they had left, as well as being regular attendees in the Lynxes Cricket week. As a group they used to meet for an annual lunch at the R.A.C. club.

Michael’s last visit to the School was for the O.C. Hockey Day on March 31st., 2019.

Michael was pre-deceased by his twin brother, who died on November 12th 1970 but is survived by his wife, Marian, who he had married in 1965, three of their four children and seven grandchildren.  

Michael Cochrane Playing For Cambridge University (2nd From The Right Of The Picture)

Cranbrook School Cricket XI – Summer 1949

Michael Cochrane Leading Fielders From Bigside