S6696
HOCKING, James
| Service Number: | 4539 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 32nd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia, 1897 |
| Home Town: | Broken Hill, Broken Hill Municipality, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Driver, labourer |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 16 Dec 1916: | Involvement Private, 4539, 32nd Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '17' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Berrima embarkation_ship_number: A35 public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 16 Dec 1916: | Embarked Private, 4539, 32nd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Berrima, Adelaide | |
| 28 Sep 1917: | Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 4539, Gunshot wound, left knee (severe) | |
| 8 Apr 1918: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 4539, 32nd Infantry Battalion, Returned to Australia per Balmoral Castle |
Help us honour James Hocking's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Cherilyn McMeekin
James initially enlisted in August 1916, giving his age as 21 years, two months. His mother Caroline wrote to the Army, stating that she had received a letter from her daughter telling her that her son Jim had enlisted. She advised, 'he is all I have to depend on for a living' and that he hadn't told her of his intent to enlist. She wrote, 'he isn't twenty yet so I object to him going wile [sic] he is under age so you will oblige me by sending him back'.
The Camp Commandant has written a response on her letter: 'I think some of these youngsters who tell lies should be made an example of & the information as to convictions given out...'
James's enlistment was cancelled but no conviction was recorded. He successfully enlisted again in October 1916, giving his age as 19 years and 4 months.