Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

"THE LATE PRIVATE S. L.SCHOCROFT.

Private Spencer Lane Schocroft died of wounds on August 13. He was the sixth son of Mr. William Edward Schocroft, of Piccadilly, near Mount Lofty, where he was born on December 23, 1893. During the major portion of the past five years he was away from home, being most of the time at Stansbury, where he was employed in agricultural pursuits. He left for the front shortly before Christmas with the 9th Light Horse. An elder brother, Charles Sydney Schocroft, is in camp at the Exhibition Ground. Private S. L. Schocroft was tall and well proportioned, and was a good, hardworking young man and weil liked." - from the Adelaide Advertiser 04 Sep 1915 (nla.gov.au)

On the 25th of April 1915, Australian and New Zealand soldiers set out to capture the Gallipoli Peninsula. These people became known as Anzacs. April 25th is one of Australia’s most important national occasions. It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australia and New Zealand.

The objective of the war was to capture Constantinople (which is now Istanbul) the capital of the Ottoman Empire. Australia became involved due to Britain declaring War in August 1915 and Australia automatically being placed on the side of the Commonwealth. More than 8000 Australian soldiers died during this campaign. Gallipoli made a huge impact on Australians at home and the 25th of April soon became the day on which Australians remembered the sacrifice of those who dies in the war. Although the Gallipoli campaign failed, the actions of Australia and New Zealand forces left a powerful legacy. This is known as the ‘Anzac Legend’ which became an important part of the identity of both nations in which they viewed both their past and their future.

Australians recognise the 25th of April as a day of national remembrance, which takes two forms. Commemorative services are held across the nation at dawn-the time of the original landing while later in the day, former service men and servicewomen meet to take part in marched through the country’s major cities and in many smaller centres.

The soldiers came to symbolise the qualities that Australians value and that have become known as the Anzac spirit. This consists of mateship, tenacity, innovation and healthy disrespect for authority. These qualities are known as defining the Australian Character.

Spencer Lane Schocroft was born on the 23rd of December 1893 in Mount Lofty, South Australia. He went to a public school in New South Wales and whilst not at school he was a farmer. By the age of 21, Spencer Lane embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board transport A10 Karroo on 11 February 1915.

Training for the 9th Light Horse Regiment occurred originally at Morphettville Race track Training Camp to the west of Adelaide, South Australia and the Broadmeadows Training Camp to the north of Melbourne, Victoria.

Spencer Lane Schocroft was not a migrant and was a single man so therefore had no children. His rank in the army was private and unit role was the 3rd Light Horse Regiment. Spencer Lane had a brother who also in the military, his name was Charles Sidney Schocroft.

He was enlisted on the 20th of October 1914 at Morphettville, South Australia which made him able to participate in World War 1. He fought in Egypt as well as Gallipoli.

During his time at war he was found guilty on the 18th of March 1915 for trying to persuade a person in the Imperial Forces to resist authority from his superior officer and also during Active Service for using language to a superior officer. His punishment was 21 days of detention.

He was transferred on board the HS ‘Clacton’ from Gaba Tape to Lemnos on the 22nd of June, 1915 because he suffered from gastro-enteritis, and was admitted to Number 1 Stationary Hospital on this day. He was then transferred to 24th Casualty Clearing Station in Mudros on the 28th of June 1915 and finally discharged to duty on the 3rd of July 1915.

After 6 months in war, Spencer Lane died on the 13th of August 1915. He died of gunshot wounds and was buried at sea and his plaque is at Lone Pine Memorial which is situated in the Lone Pine Cemetery at Anzac and is the main Australian Memorial on Gallipoli. This memorial  not only commemorates him but the 3268 Australians and 456 New Zealanders who have no known grave and the 960 Australians and 252 New Zealanders who were buried at sea after evacuation through wounds or disease. This memorial stands over the centre of the Turkish trenches which was the scene of heavy fighting during the month of August.

Spencer Lane Schocroft was a young man who gave up his life for our freedom as a nation. He was brave and courageous and an inspiration to us all.