Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

HOCKLEY Bronte James MB BS FRANZCR DDU

1945-

Bronte James Hockley was born in Adelaide on 31st July 1945. He is the youngest son of Bryan Ross Hockley and Mary, nee Watson.  Hockley’s father served in the BCOF in Japan after WW2.  His mother was born in Scotland   and emmigrated with her family to Adelaide in the   early 1920s.  Hockley   was   educated at Woodville Primary School and Findon High School.  He gained a Commonwealth Scholarship which enabled him to study medicine at the University of Adelaide.  He graduated MB BS in 1968 and completed his residency at TQEH in 1969. He married Christine Rose Watson in 1968.   They were to have two children; Benjamin and Simone.

Midway through his medical studies Hockley was conscripted in the National Ballot for service in the Army. This was the first year that medical students became subject to the ballot.   Subsequently, as a medical student, he joined the RAN in the Undergraduate Medical Officers scheme   with a short service commission. Hockley began his RAN permanent naval service in 1970, following his resident year. He undertook courses in underwater medicine at HMAS Penguin   at Balmoral,   and Aviation   Medicine at HMAS Albatross, Nowra. The RAN was posting a small number of medical officers to shore postings in South Vietnam mainly in USA Military Hospitals.   Hockley was posted to South Vietnam, in May 1970.

He was initially detached to 1 Aust Fd Hosp at Vung Tau and performed general medical duties, assisting in surgery, as well as giving medical assistance in local villages. Subsequently Hockley was posted to the 93 Evacuation Hospital USMC Long Binh working in anaesthetics at about the time of the US military incursion into Cambodia. He undertook general and regional   anaesthesia on battle injuries and non-combatant personnel with assistance from USMC nurse anaesthetists whom he considered exemplary in their work. Hockley returned to Australia and was posted to HMAS Albatross gaining experience in aviation medicine and the special requirements of the Fleet Air Arm. He  joined  the  aircraft carrier  HMAS   Melbourne in 1971 with deployment  to RIMPAC  exercises  around  Hawaii   and a further  voyage to South East Asia  in 1972. The sea time duties included the medical examination of pilots and the general medical care of the ships company. He provided anaesthetic support for five appendicectomies during at sea during these deployments. The frequent operative procedures in the Pacific Ocean exhausted soda lime on the anaesthetic    machine on one occasion. However, the day was saved when a RAN submarine surfaced to supply soda lime from their escape compartment.

Further postings include   HMAS Cerberus in 1972, and deployment to Singapore, in 1973, with the Australian- New Zealand -United Kingdom, (ANZUK) force. This was in a military commitment to stabilize the Malayan peninsula. Hockley was appointed MO in command (MOIC) of the Seletar Family Medical Centre at RAF Seletar in the Johor Straits. Here he cared for a families of service personnel and, in 1974, was promoted to surgeon lieutenant commander. His further duties that year involved MO for UK families at    the Naval Base in Nee Soon and Holland Village. Hockley returned to South Australia, in December 1974, and retired from the RAN   after a five year commission.

Hockley then trained in Diagnostic Radiology at TQEH from 1975 until 1979 and achieved his specialist registration.  He then entered a private radiology practice as well as obtaining an appointment as a visiting medical specialist at the RAH from 1980 to 2015. He has a special interest in Musculo-skeletal ultrasound. Bronte James Hockley continues to live in Adelaide.  He now has five grandchildren. He was an original member of the Seaview Road Board-Riders in 1964. He still maintains his membership today and the enjoyment of surfing today. He also enjoys golf and visual arts.

Sources

Blood, Sweat and Fears II: Medical Practitioners of South Australia on Active Service After World War 2 to Vietnam 1945-1975.

Summers, Swain, Jelly, Verco. Open Book Howden, Adelaide 2016

Uploaded by Annette Summers AO RFD