Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

"ROLL OF HONOUR. THE LATE MAJOR RUPERT HOCKLEY.

In yesterday's issue we briefly announced the sad news of the death of Major Rupert Hockley, D.S.O., who was killed in action in France last week, receiving wounds on Wednesday to which he most deplorably succumbed the following day, Australia's great day in Flanders. Major Hockley was born in Ipswich and was in his 38th year. He was educated at the Boys' Grammar School, Maryborough, and by his death adds another name to that school's roll of gallant scholars who have served and fallen in this terrible war. On leaving school he went into McLennan and Co.'s, Brisbane, for business experience, and in 1903 left for Great Britain and America to gain foundry experience. He put in three years — about 18 months in a large Glasgow foundry, and the other 18 in one of America's largest and up-to-date foundries near New York. He made valuable use of his time abroad, and on his return he took charge of the local Albion Stove Foundry, and gradually eliminating the older methods in vogue, watched it grow into the important maturity it has now become, with dealings throughout the Commonwealth. Major Hockley made a special study of cupola practice and his work stands out to-day in the production of light castings as something that can not be beaten in Australia.

He was offered at various times tempting positions both in America and Australia, but invariably refused them feeling it his duty to stand in with the family firm, and the town of his adoption. It is not generally known that Major Hockley offered his services at the out-break of the war in August 1914, but as they were not accepted he reluctantly entered into an agreement with the firm to see them over the current financial year. This ended on July 31, 1915, and in August of that year he was in camp at Enoggera. Shortly after he was at Broadmeadows, Victoria, in charge of A Company, and 3rd in command of the 31st Battalion. He was a very keen rifle shot and soon had his men in a high state of efficiency in their shooting. On November 9th he left Melbourne for Egypt and after a couple of months there, was offered and accepted the position as second in command of the 2nd Division of Pioneers, and was amongst the first Australian troops to land in France and get into the firing line.

For over 18 months he had been in the thick of the fighting, doing such meritorious work that he was given the D.S.O. Almost his last letter gave a description of his interview with the King at Buckingham Palace and the reception at which the D.S.O. emblem was pinned on his breast. Under his personal supervision his battalion prepared the attack in which two fine Maryborough soldiers lost their lives — Lieutenant Victor Warry and Captain Boys. His brother officers and the men were a fine lot of fellows, and all his letters were full of praise for the great work they were doing. In private life Major Hockley was a true sportsman — excelling in duck and pigeon shooting. He had a happy disposition, and could never be induced to speak ill of anyone. He could never refuse a request for assistance and many friends the world over will gratefully remember him for this. Before enlisting he had been for many years associated with the Commonwealth Defence Forces (Wide Bay Regiment) as an officer, and had always taken a keen interest in military matters." - from the Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser 27 Sep 1917 (nla.gov.au)

Awarded the DSO personally by the King (05 Jun 1917), MID - Special mention in Sir Douglas Haig's despatch 09 Apr 1917