HOCKING, Francis Almund Wearne
| Service Numbers: | 352, 2609 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 16 August 1914 |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | 55th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Petersham, New South Wales, Australia, 1891 |
| Home Town: | Leichhardt, Leichhardt, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Ashfield Public School, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation: | Commercial Traveller |
| Died: | Killed in Action, France, 4 February 1917 |
| Cemetery: |
Dernancourt Communal Cemetery Extension Plot IV, Row H, grave 27, |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Baulkham Hills William Thompson Masonic School War Memorial, Sydney United Grand Lodge Honour Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 16 Aug 1914: | Enlisted Australian Naval & Military Expeditionary Forces (New Guinea 1914), Private, 352, 1st Infantry Battalion, Naval and Military Forces - Special Tropical Corps | |
|---|---|---|
| 19 Aug 1914: | Involvement Australian Naval & Military Expeditionary Forces (New Guinea 1914), Private, 352, 1st Infantry Battalion, Naval and Military Forces - Special Tropical Corps, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '21' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Berrima embarkation_ship_number: A35 public_note: '' | |
| 19 Aug 1914: | Embarked Australian Naval & Military Expeditionary Forces (New Guinea 1914), Private, 352, 1st Infantry Battalion, Naval and Military Forces - Special Tropical Corps, HMAT Berrima, Melbourne | |
| 4 Mar 1915: | Discharged Australian Naval & Military Expeditionary Forces (New Guinea 1914), Private, 352, 1st Infantry Battalion, Naval and Military Forces - Special Tropical Corps | |
| 14 Jun 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2609, 3rd Infantry Battalion | |
| 9 Aug 1915: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 2609, 3rd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Runic, Sydney | |
| 9 Aug 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 2609, 3rd Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '7' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Runic embarkation_ship_number: A54 public_note: '' | |
| 30 Oct 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 2609, 3rd Infantry Battalion, ANZAC / Gallipoli | |
| 3 Dec 1915: | Promoted AIF WW1, Corporal, 3rd Infantry Battalion | |
| 13 Feb 1916: | Transferred AIF WW1, Corporal, 55th Infantry Battalion | |
| 31 May 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Sergeant, 55th Infantry Battalion | |
| 20 Jul 1916: | Honoured Distinguished Conduct Medal, Fromelles (Fleurbaix), Awarded a DCO for conspicuous gallantry during operations - he organised carrying parties to suppy machine guns with ammunition - these guns covered the retreat of troops to the communication trenches. He also dressed the wounds of a man in the open & got him to safety | |
| 2 Feb 1917: | Wounded AIF WW1, Sergeant, 2609, 55th Infantry Battalion | |
| 4 Feb 1917: | Involvement AIF WW1, Sergeant, 2609, 55th Infantry Battalion, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 2609 awm_unit: 55th Australian Infantry Battalion awm_rank: Sergeant awm_died_date: 1917-02-04 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Elizabeth Allen
Francis (Frank) Almund Wearne HOCKING was born in 1891 in Petersham, Sydney
His parents were Francis Joseph HOCKING and Janet Euphemia Susannah WEARNE who married on 10th July, 1890 in Glebe, Sydney
He had previously served in the NSW Cadets & the St George Rifles and the expeditionary force to Rabaul (both disbanded) before he enlisted on 16th August, 1914 with the Australian Naval & Military Expeditionary Force (Tropical Unit) C Company - he was discharged on 4th March, 1915 and re-enlisted on 14th June, 1915 with the 3rd Battalion (8th reinforcements)
Frank was awarded a Distinguished Conduct Medal on 28th Sept 1916 & also the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal & the Victory Medal
He died of a fractured right femur after being wounded 2 days before and was moved to the 1st South Midland Casualty Clearing Station in France
He is buried in Dernancourt Communal Cemetery & his name is honoured at the Australian War Memorial
Cemetery Inscription read
"BELOVED SON OF FRANK & SUSIE HOCKING
-GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN"
At the time of his death Frank was engaged to be married to a Madge Henson of Marrickville
One of his brothers , Harold Jeffery Hocking (SN3336) also served as a Lance Corporal and was awarded a Military Medal - he survived the war
His cousin, Major E Wearne (DSO) 6th Light Horse also served but no further details are known
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OBITUARY
HOCKING - died on February 4 of injuries received in France, Sergeant Francis Almund Wearne Hocking (DCM) aged 25 years, dearly loved eldest son of Mr. & Mrs. F.J . Hocking, "Elverton", The Boulevard, Lewisham and brother of Elsie, Harold (on active service), Susie, Tom and Grace
HOCKING - in proud & loving memory of Sergeant Frank A.W. Hocking DCM (55th Battalion) late 3rd Battalion, died of wounds Feb 4, 1917 - dearly loved friend of Madge G Henson , Marrickville
Pro Deo et Patria..... Sydney Morning Herald Wed 4th Feb. 1920
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