Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Charles Sidney Schocroft was born on October 28th, 1890 in Piccadilly, South Australia. He was the son of William Edward Schocroft and Lois Margaret Schocroft. Before Charles entered the war he was a labourer and a gardener. Charles enlisted to embark on the voyage on August 23rd, 1915. He was enlisted in South Australia at the age of 25 and he was enlisted as a private. Charles and his unit embarked on the voyage on the RMS Malwa on December 2nd 1915. He was enlisted into the 48th Battalion, 16th battalion and 12th reinforcement.  

In his time serving abroad, Schocroft, was given mentions in dispatches and he was also rewarded with awards and honours for the bravery and courage he showed while serving for his country. William Edward Schocroft received a letter from the Major from Charles’ battalion informing him that Charles had been rewarded with a Distinguished Conduct Medal for gallantry and devotion to duty by saving several animals and one man from being bogged in mud. He then carried them over half a mile on heavy ground to safety. They were under heavy gunfire at the time and the bravery that Charles showed was unbelievable. This was a fine example to his men. This occurred on the 25th July, 1918.

Whilst abroad, Charles fought in several battles but the most significant was the Battle at Dernancourt fought by the 48th Battalion. The Battalion was attacked by German Heavy machine gunfire. Several wounded men charged back over the hill in retreat. Charles, was involved in this battle but there was no information what role he played during this battle. He was also involved in the Battle of Bullecourt and the Battle of Passchendaele.

As far as we know, Charles didn’t fall ill as he was serving abroad but there were lots of diseases that may have been caught by soldiers whilst overseas such as Trench Foot, Shell Shock, Fever and Malaria were all illnesses that were commonly caught by soldiers during WWI and some of these cases would have resulted in the soldier being discharged or death on some occasions. Death was possible at the early stages of the war because medical technology and medical advances were very limited at the time. This is why there were so many fatalities during WWI from illness and diseases.

Charles Schocroft embarked on his voyage at the start of WWI and returned back to Australia at the end of WWI on the 8th July, 1918. He then enlisted in WW2, which he also survived when he was discharged on the 18th February, 1947. This was an amazing effort with him being awarded three honours from WWI and WW2. He showed bravery and courage to survive the struggles and tough conditions of the war to return home at the end of WW2. He was 56 years of age when he returned back to Australia. He lived happily for ten years after his return to Australia but died of natural causes at the age of 66 in Kensington, South Australia on the 5th August, 1957.

Son of Mr and Mrs. W.B. SCHOCROFT of Piccadilly, Mt. Lofty, SA.  Married with three children and residing at 6 Wellington Street, Kensington, Charles was educated at Uraidla Public School.  He played football for the Hills Association.