ALCOCK, Albert Victor
| Service Number: | 9808 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 20 March 1916 |
| Last Rank: | Sapper |
| Last Unit: | 9th Field Company Engineers |
| Born: | Leichhardt, New South Wales, Australia, 1897 |
| Home Town: | Not yet discovered |
| Schooling: | Sydney Technical High School, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation: | Apprentice joiner |
| Died: | Eastwood, New South Wales, Australia, 21 October 1942, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: | Sydney Technical High School WW1 Roll Of Honour |
World War 1 Service
| 20 Mar 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Sapper, 9808, 9th Field Company Engineers | |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Jul 1916: | Involvement Sapper, 9808, 9th Field Company Engineers, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '5' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Ajana embarkation_ship_number: A31 public_note: '' | |
| 5 Jul 1916: | Embarked Sapper, 9808, 9th Field Company Engineers, HMAT Ajana, Sydney |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Sydney Technical High School
Albert Victor Alcock, born in Leichhardt, Sydney, NSW, was a dedicated soldier who was known for his service in World War 1. He was the son of Francis Joseph Alcock and Ellen Alcock and grew up in a Methodist household, which later affected his religious views and career later on in his life. ¹ A source about him states, “His Christian character was manly and virile, and he wore the white flower of a blameless life” ², describing the effect the religion had on his life. He was 5' 10.5" tall and weighed 144 lbs. ³
Before the war, Albert Alcock had attended Sydney Technical High School from 1909 until 20 March 1916. During his time there, his best subjects were engineering related subjects such as metalwork and drawing. ⁴ His skill for engineering led him to work as an apprentice joiner in Camperdown for three years, where he improved his engineering ability. ⁵ His dedication to his studies and work likely reflected his passion for engineering.
Alcock was a sapper in the 9th Field Company Engineers, a military engineering unit, during World War 1. He had enlisted in Sydney 20th March 1916, and left for Plymouth, England, on August 11, 1916, after boarding the boat HMAT A31 Ajana on July 5, 1916. ⁶
November 22, 1916, he left for France. During his time on the Western Front he performed vital duties as a sapper, including constructing and maintaining roads and bridges.
Alcock went to England on leave from January 19, 1918, to February 4, 1918. ⁴ Due to influenza that he had contracted during the war, he was released from active duty and admitted to the 47th Casualty Clearing Station on June 7, 1918. On June 23, 1918, having recovered from influenza, he returned to his battalion. ⁹
He was attached to the 11th Field Company Engineers, a new combat engineering unit, on March 21, 1919, to assist with the clean-up in France.
Prior to leaving for Australia, he went AWL (absent without leave) in May 1919. His AWL was received as Albert Alcock had made a mistake going to the wrong bath and being caught by one of his comrades. Luckily, his military record and reputation were not heavily affected as he was reprimanded sufficiently in charge for his AWL, with a deduction of two months pay.¹⁰
Alcock then returned to Australia on the HT 'Themistocles' on 12 June 1919. He was discharged from the Australian Army on 25 September 1919,with luckily never having sustained serious injuries or being captured as a prisoner of war. ¹²
Following his return from the war, Albert Alcock married Alice Johnston in 1921 in New South Wales. Their wedding was a significant event attended by Mr. Arthur Brightwell as the best man and Mr. Leslie Alcock as the groomsman. ¹³ Together, Alcock and Mrs Johnston had three sons. Raised with strong Christian beliefs, he had become a church steward, dedicating himself to his religion and serving his community with the same commitment he had shown in the military. ¹⁴ This can further be supported in the source about him talking about his marriage,“He has left behind him a name for a high souled Christian character, and a memory that is fragrant.”. ¹⁵
Sydney Technical High School is now the only confirmed war memorial physical location to which Alcock’s name and legacy lays rest. He had unfortunately passed away on 21 October 1942 and is buried at the cemetery in Macquarie Park in Sydney. ¹⁶
References
- Ken Stevenson, 1921, Albert Victor Alcock 1897- 1942, Google Drive, Alcock Albert Victor joiner doc
- Ken Stevenson, 1921, Albert Victor Alcock 1897- 1942, Google Drive, Alcock 1921 Marriage Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), Sunday 1 May 1921, page 16
- Ken Stevenson, 1921, Albert Victor Alcock 1897- 1942, Google Drive, Alcock Albert Victor joiner doc
- Ken Stevenson, 1911, Albert Victor Alcock 1897- 1942, Google Drive, THS 1911 division V first year December A
- Ken Stevenson, 1921, Albert Victor Alcock 1897- 1942, Google Drive, Alcock Albert Victor joiner doc
- Anonymous, 1916-1919, Albert Victor Alcock 1897- 1942, National Archives of Australia Records, NAA: B2455, document of events ALCOCK A V pg 14-15
- Ibid
- Ibid
- Ibid
- Ibid
- Ibid
- Ibid
- Ken Stevenson, 1921, Albert Victor Alcock 1897- 1942, Google Drive, Alcock 1921 Marriage Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), Sunday 1 May 1921, page 16
- Ibid
- Ibid
- Ken Stevenson, 1921, Albert Victor Alcock 1897- 1942, Google Drive, Alcock Albert Victor joiner doc
Bibliography
Ken Stevenson, Research on Google Drive: https://tinyurl.com/ycms2z6a
Virtual War memorial: https://vwma.org.au/explore/people/146823
NAA Records: http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/scripts/AutoSearch.asp?O=I&Number=3024007
UNSW: https://docs.google.com/document/d/124UKuQv6SY3sDubQQyAcbl1PVza40YWH/edit
Lives of the first world war: https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/7428377