Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of Joseph F. and Susan A. Wilcock; husband of Mrs. C. I. Wilcock, of 73, Graham St., Quarry Hill, Bendigo, Victoria. Native of Bendigo, Victoria.

LIEUTENANT ARTHUR WILCOCK.
Word has been received in Bendigo of the death in action of Lieutenant Arthur Wilcock, formerly of the staff of the Bendigo High School. Lieutenant Wilcock, who was a married  man with three children, left for the front only last year his wife and family, on his enlisting, leaving Bendigo to reside with her parents in Melbourne. Lieutenant Wilcock before  enlisting had been science master at the Bendigo High School for the past eight years. He was a former student at the Camp School, Bendigo and subsequently entered the  Education department. He qualified for the B.A. and M.A. degrees whilst teaching. In military life he had charge of the High school Senior Cadets, and was also area officer at area  68C, Bendigo, Cr. J. Holland taking up his duties on his departure. Only yesterday week there appeared a notification in the papers that he had been wounded, but the later message received on Friday stated that he had been killed in action. Lieutenant Wilcock was a son of Mrs. Wilcock, postmistress at Long Gully. A brother, Lieutenant E.  L. Wilcock,  was recently awarded the Military Cross, and when last heard from was still fighting in France. As a mark of respect to Lieutenant Wilcock's memory, the flag was flown at half mast at the High School on Friday. Lieutenant Bishiops, who succeeded Lieutenant Wilcock as science teacher at the High School, addressing the cadets while on parade on Friday  referred in terms of affection to the death of their late teacher and commanding officer. Subsequently the boys marched past their officer anld saluted the flag.

LIEUTENANT ARTHUR WILCOCK.
TRIBUTE TO A GALLANT SOLDIER.
At the Bendigo High School on Friday amidst the rejoicings of the concluding hours of the school term for 1917, and the presentation of prizes, the Mayor (Cr. R. H. S. Abbott)  performed the pathetic ceremony of unveiling a large photo. of Lieutenant Arthur Wilcock, M.A., who was killed in action in France in October last. Lieutenant Wilcock was physics  master at the school, and in profound silence the students, with the teaching staff, stood reverently while the Mayor unveiled the photo. of their dearly-beloved friend, teacher, and hero. The photo. was presented by Mr. J. King, the head master, who referred to Lieutenant Wilcock as a personal friend, and a gallant soldier. "Old Gold," the magazine of the  Bendigo High School, contains the following in memorium to Lieu- tenant. Wilcock:--With sincere sorrow, and yet with pride, we record the death on the field of honor of our loved  teacher, colleague, and friend, Arthur Wilcock, M.A. The report that he had been wounded filled us with anxiety, and the news that he had died of his wounds was to most of us a  heartbreak. It seems so short a time since this true and loyal gentleman said farewell to us all in the quadrangle. His words on that occasion were not those of a rash, fiery lad,  setting out on an alluring adventure. They were rather the simple utterance of a cool, brave man, who had counted the cost, who knew that he was risking all-- his life, his career,  his home, with a wife and children; who yet felt that the voice of duty to his country was the one clear call which he "must fol.. low, if need be, to the end. He gave his country all- -his body's might, his life's success, home, love, his splendid youth.  He cast them all, the offering of a knight, Into the altar flame of right and truth. Physically, mentally, and in  heart, the man we mourn was a giant. He was not a common man; he was a personality. Had he lived he would one day have been high among those who rule our educational  destinies. His death is a national loss. Like most big natures, he was simple, kind, almost playful in his intercourse with his colleagues. "There was not a child but loved him; not a  fellow teacher but readily accorded him both love and respect. To every school need he was at once ready to devote his clear brain and skilful hand. There is not one department  of school activity in which he did not play a leading part. "Nihil tetigit quod non ornavit." It is a consolation to us mourners that we are all the better for his living. In life and in  death he has been an example for all his boys to envy and imitate. Why are the finest flowers ever the first to fall to the grim reaper's scythe? We may not answer surely; but  perhaps such men as Arthur Wilcock are the standard bearers, pointing the way to "'men of grosser blood," who, though they may not equal them in power or in accomplishment,  may at least learn to equal them sacrifice.

A 32 year old teacher prior to being appointed a Lieutenant in the AIF on 25 September 1916, Lieutenant Arthur Wilcock, 24th Battalion from Bendigo, Victoria embarked for overseas with the 18th Reinforcements from Melbourne on 23 November 1916 aboard HMAT Hororata.

Following further training in England, he arrived in France on 24 April 1917 and joined the 24th Battalion.

While serving with the Battalion in Belgium, he was killed in action on 4 October 1917 just prior to the attack on Broodseinde Ridge (German shell fire) and buried near Zonnebeke.

After the war, his grave could not be located and he is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres, Belgium with others who have no known grave.

Source: AWM