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Vivian's parents were Carl Christian Jocumsen and Hansine Sorensen, Reef Point Villa at Scarborough. Vivian enlisted in July 1915 and on his arrival in Egypt was attached to the 2nd Anzac Cyclists Battalion. Vivian married Annie Elizabeth McGrath in 1922.

Lance-corporal Vivian R. Jocumsen, who has been three years on active service, and is now in hospital in France, suffering from the effects of gas, writes to his mother, Mrs. C. Jocumsen, Reef Point Villa, Scarborough, describing what it feels like to be "gassed." He says : "I am getting on A again after my dose of gas, and expect to be sent to a convalescent camp in a few days' time; but I expect it will be some time before I get back to my battalion, as my shoulders and back are still tender. You don't feel anything for nine or ten hours after the attack, and then great, big water blisters start out all over your body, and in many cases you get affected in the eyes. I was blind for over 24  hours, but am pleased to say I got my sight back again, but I can still feel the effect of the gas in my eyes."

From Australian Remembrance Army

Lance Corporal Vivian Robert Jocumsen (Service No. 2719), an Australian World War One veteran, is among almost 800 previously unmarked WWI veterans’ graves in Lutwyche Cemetery we have now marked with a plaque in recognition of their service for Australia.

We unveiled his plaque in Lutwyche Cemetery on 15 April 2023, along with a further 246 plaques on the previously unmarked graves of Australian World War One veterans:
See Australian Remembrance Army Facebook page

Vivian Robert Jocumsen was born on 13 April 1894 at Maryborough, Queensland, the son of Carl Christian Julius Jocumsen and Hansine Jocumsen (née Sorensen). He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at Brisbane on 21 July 1915, giving his occupation as labourer and nominating his mother as his next of kin.
On 21 October 1915, Jocumsen embarked for overseas service aboard HMAT Seang Bee. He arrived in Egypt in February 1916 and was admitted to the 1st Australian General Hospital at Heliopolis suffering from hernia. After treatment, he rejoined his unit and proceeded to France in June 1916, joining the British Expeditionary Force.

During 1916 and 1917, Jocumsen served primarily with cyclist and infantry units, including the 2nd Anzac Cyclist Battalion and later the 9th Battalion, AIF. He undertook escort duties, training courses, and periods of front-line service. In June 1917 he was appointed Lance Corporal.

On 11 September 1917, Jocumsen was wounded in action by gas, suffering severe shell-gas burns, including injuries to his eyes. He was evacuated through several medical facilities in France, including casualty clearing stations and general hospitals.
He later described the effects in a letter published in The Brisbane Courier newspaper in December 1917, recounting delayed symptoms, widespread blistering, and loss of sight for over fourteen hours: “Lance Corporal Vivian R. Jocumsen, who has been three years on active service, and is now in hospital in France, suffering from the effects of gas, writes to his mother, Mrs. C. Jocumsen, Reef Point, via Scarborough, describing what it feels like to be ‘gassed.’ He says:—‘I am getting on A1 again after my dose of gas, and expect to be sent to a convalescent camp in a few days’ time; but I thought it will be some time before I get back to my little job. In my shoulders and back are still tender. You don’t feel anything for six or ten hours after the attack, and then great big, watery blisters burst out all over your body, and as many as you can get affected in the eyes. I was blinded for over 14 hours, but am pleased to say I got my sight back again, but I can still feel the effect of the gas in my eyes.’

Although he returned briefly to duty, Jocumsen was again hospitalised in late 1917 with further illness and complications. In April 1918, while serving in Belgium, he was wounded in action a second time, sustaining a gunshot wound to the right elbow. He was evacuated to England and admitted to the Ontario Military Hospital at Orpington, Kent.

Due to the severity and lasting effects of his wounds, Jocumsen was deemed unfit for further active service. On 14 June 1918, he was invalided from England and returned to Australia. He was formally discharged from the Australian Imperial Force on 16 October 1918, classified as permanently unfit as a result of war service.

Following his return to Australia, Jocumsen lived with his parents at Scarborough, Brisbane, in 1919, where he worked as a motor driver. He married Annie Elizabeth McGrath in 1922, and they raised their family in south-east Queensland. From 1925 to 1930 he was employed as a benchman in Toowoomba, later working as a labourer at Yarraman in 1939, and as a forestry employee at Nanango in 1943.

Lance Corporal Vivian Robert Jocumsen died on 4 May 1948, aged 54, and was buried in Anzac Portion 7, Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane.

After decades without recognition at his place of burial, his grave now bears a plaque commemorating his service to Australia — ensuring his name endures among those remembered for their duty and sacrifice. His identity and dignity have now been restored.

We have remembered him.
Lest We Forget.