S12267
JOHNCOCK, Roy
| Service Number: | 98 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 11 January 1916, at Adelaide |
| Last Rank: | Driver |
| Last Unit: | 43rd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Edithburgh, South Australia, April 1892 |
| Home Town: | Yorketown, Yorke Peninsula, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Ardrossan, South Australia, 26 August 1969, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: | Edithburgh WW2 Roll of Honor, Edithburgh War Memorial, Yorketown and District of Melville Roll of Honour |
World War 1 Service
| 11 Jan 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 98, 43rd Infantry Battalion, at Adelaide | |
|---|---|---|
| 9 Jun 1916: | Involvement Private, 98, 43rd Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '18' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Afric embarkation_ship_number: A19 public_note: '' | |
| 9 Jun 1916: | Embarked Private, 98, 43rd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Afric, Adelaide | |
| 11 Nov 1918: | Involvement Driver, 98, 43rd Infantry Battalion |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by St Ignatius' College
Life before the War
Roy Johncock was born on the 4th of April 1892 in Edithburgh, South Australia. His father was Edward Johncock and his mother Sarah Johncock. He grew up in Yorketown, South Australia. Roy had one sibling, a sister called Helena Mary Johncock who was a year younger than him. His farther unfortunately passed away in 1898 when John was only six. Roy married Evelyn Melena Johncock in 1914 on the 9th of May. Roy was a well-loved man who even got his own public send off at the Yorketown town hall on Saturday the 22nd of April 1916 where he was celebrated and appreciated. During this send-off Roy said, “he was determined to share in the defence of the empire and hoped that when peace was assured to come back to Yorketown.” His desire was to “put up a record as good as if not better than the famous 10th battalion”. By these quotes said by Roy we can tell he was dedicated and determined to help our country. When enlisting Roy was 5 feet and 4 inches tall 23 years old, he weighted 138lbs, he had grey eyes, brown hair and his religion was Methodist. Before leaving Roy had his first and only daughter in 1916 called Edith Florence Ellen (Nell) Johncock. Roy’s first time serving was in the first world war from 1916- 1919 as a part of the 43rd battalion.
Life during the war
Roy started his training at the Morphettville Racecourse around August. The training was for all seven days of a week with no off day. Soldiers were woken up at 6 to start a very high intense and physical training course. During this training Roy would have learned how to fire a gun and use weapons, how to march, how to take orders correctly, first aid requirements, survival and field craft skills, infantry tactics, judging a distance, movement at night, guards and outposts, skirmishing, construction of field defences and how to take care of their feet properly to prevent scabies in which Roy didn’t do properly as in March 1917 he suffered from scabies. Roy completed his training around late October and was ready for battle. Roy along with his unit embarked from Adelaide on board the HMAT A19 Afric on the 9th of June 1916. Roy proceeded overseas to France on the 25th of November 1916. In Roy’s first year of serving, he received the news that his mother had passed away. Roy had scabies and was given admitted to a position before going to the hospital on the 30th of March 1917. He was moved to cluty for treatment. On the 1st of May the battalion started their journey. The battalion along with Roy left Ebblinghem at 7am and arrived at St Martin Au Laret at 11:45 am. They then arrived at the training area at 2pm where the battalion was awarded for their work. On the 7th of June 1917 till the 14th of June the battle of messiness occurred in which was one of the first major battles for this battalion. The battalion was in nieppe in which is situated by the Belgium border where the battle was occurring.
The battle of Messines
The battle of Messines was fought from June 7th until June 14th. The battle began with 19 land mines beneath the Germans blowing up causing a mini earthquake and leaving them with large craters everywhere. The Germans were deviated as over 10,000 German soldiers were killed just like that.
Life after the war
Like many other soldiers Roy returned home to Australia, Yorktown on May the 20th 1919 where he was greeted by his wife and daughter Edith. Roy then had three more children, all sons: Albert Edward Roy (Ted) Johncock was born on 12 October 1921 in Yorketown, South Australia. Leonard George Johncock was born on 27 August 1922 in Yorketown, South Australia. David Frederick Johncock was born on 14 September 1929. Roy then passed away on the 26th of August 1969 in Ardrossan, south Australia at 77 years old. Roy was buried at Ardrossan Cemetery, Ardrossan, South Australia, Australia.