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Joseph was born in Keswick on the 2nd October 1918. His siblings including younger brothers George and Colin and a sister, Phyllis. Both parents were particularly active in their local community of Aldgate in the Adelaide Hills. His mother was a long-term member of the Heathfield School Welfare Club, where the children attended. She was also on the Aldgate Flower Show and both parents were active on the sporting committees, including the Heathfield Tennis Club, The Basketball (Netball), Football and Cricket Clubs. Joe honed his cricket throwing skills in activities including the Aldgate Autumn Show where he won the cricket throw with an impressive 94 yards 6 inches (about 90 metres).
The family generally enjoyed the Hills and living in an area renown for the curving, narrow roads as well as the delightful English style setting. However, in comparison to Keswick, the hills had other challenges as the local Courier reported in September ‘36. ‘While Mrs. E. Cocker and her son, Colin, were walking along a bush track last Friday, they encountered a brown snake, which was apparently sunning itself. On their approach the snake became vicious, and it was killed with sticks and stones. The reptile was four feet four inches long. It is very rare for snakes to be about at this time of the year.’
Other challenges were self-inflicted. Unfortunately, in April ’37 The Mount Barker Courier reported an embarrassing accident: ‘While cycling through Aldgate recently, Messrs. D. Roberts and J. Cocker, of Heathfield, met with a mishap on taking a turn In the road. Mr. Roberts's bicycle collided with the other bicycle, causing both to crash heavily. Mr. Roberts received cuts and bruises to his arm and hip, the front wheel being completely broken. The other cyclist received gravel rash.’
Just two months later Joe had graduated to a motor bike, but the results were similar. This time he had an escapade with Bill Fletcher. The local paper recorded that ‘Mr. W. (Bill) Fletcher met with an accident recently when pillion riding on the motorcycle owned by Mr. J. Cocker. The machine collided with a post. The headlamp was smashed. The driver escaped unhurt and Mr. Fletcher's injuries were not serious.’ The two young friends were later to enlist, Bill as SX8087 and both being allocated to the 2/48th Battalion.
Fortunately, Joe was able to recover to play football and score two of their nine goals. He was less fortunate in a grand final match two years later in an event reported in the local Courier. ‘The quarter was marred by an unfortunate mishap to J. Cocker, who, failing to recover from a stumble, fairly butted the rock surface on the northern side of the ground. He was assisted off and taken to hospital, suffering from head and limb injuries.’ Despite the injury he was still listed in the best players as was another young man, Geoff Radbone who was also to later enlist in the 2/48th Battalion a fortnight beforehand and become SX7139. Joe and Geoff had both been selected in a Representative Team to play against Glenelg in June ’37 for the ‘Rogers Shield’. Geoff also dashingly captained the ’39 Premiership Aldgate team in which both George and Joe both played, Joe as a solid defender and George as a reliable full back who constantly repelled Crafers’ offensives.
Their sister, Phyllis Cocker also captained the Heathfield basketball (netball) team to several premierships, continuing the family’s sporting achievements. As were their parents, Joe was active in supporting local events, including fundraising for the local Heathfield Cricket Club where in ’36 he also took out the men’s euchre prize. He also was the highest run-getter as a player for Heathfield and received a trophy for this feat in May ’37.
With the outbreak of WWII, Joseph enlisted to serve on the 13th July 1940, initially becoming SX8845 and being allocated to the 2/48th Battalion. He named his father, Edward as his next of kin. The previous week his motor bike riding friend, Bill Fletcher also enlisted as SX8087. Just two years later, 25-year-old Bill died of wounds sustained in action on the 22nd July, 1942. The 2/48th battalion suffered 215 casualties between the 7th July and 23rd October. Of that number, 64 men were killed and six, including Bill died of their wounds. 125 other men were wounded but survived. For Joe, within three months of enlisting, he was discharged in October ’40. He persisted and a year later was able to re-enlist in July ’41, this time becoming SX13605.
Younger brother, Colin Stanley had joined the Militia but just days before his 21st birthday enlisted as SX38734 ‘in the field’ on the 20th March ’45. Fifteen months later he was discharged on the 21st June ’46 and Joe on the 5th April when peace was declared.
Joe returned to playing football for Aldgate with the local paper reporting that ‘Uraidla's forward surge was stemmed by G. Cocker. Both G. and J. Cocker were solid in Aldgate's defence’ and constantly challenging the oppositions’ forward attack ‘J. Cocker was in the way of the blues' initial attack.’ Joe also returned to playing cricket, taking out the Association trophy for the best bowling average of 6.1 playing for Aldgate.
On June 21st ’47 Joe married Alma Jaensch from Callington, in the St. Steven's Lutheran Church, Adelaide. Alma was one of five children of Traugett (Bill) and Clara Jaensch. She had been working at O’Neil’s cafe, Aldgate for almost six years. The previous year the Café owners organised a 21st birthday party evening for Alma on October 29th, ’46 where Mr. O'Neil spoke of Alma's long service and courtesy. For their wedding, Joe was attended by his brother George and Alma’s brother, Clarence Jaensch was groomsman. Joe’s sister, Phyllis Bowes was matron of honor. Again, the O’Neil family hosted the reception at their Aldgate Café. Mr. O'Neil spoke highly of the bride, who had six years' service at his cafe. The bridegroom in responding thanked all for their good wishes. The newlyweds motored to Victor Harbour for their honeymoon. In March ’49 they welcomed their son, Anthony William, born at Mt Barker.
Post war Joe continued playing football and was regularly named in the best players for Aldgate, as was Geoff Radbone who had also survived the war and being injured multiple times.
Joe and Alma made the decision to move to Whyalla, a city known for its strong sporting competitions. With a transient population, talented players left or retired, but these were inevitably replaced with new, incoming players. Joe was recruited to West Whyalla Football under a new coach, ex-interstate and Glenelg player, Clarrie Window. The Whyalla News in April ’51 listed the new players who came from Broadmeadows, South Lincoln, Rocket Range and ‘J. H. Cocker, full back from Aldgate’. Joe also played cricket for West Whyalla, regularly rating a mention in the Whyalla News. In ’54 he was praised for the ‘grand partnership from Cocker and Woodard that added 146 runs in 115 minutes. Cocker hit the ball hard and on many occasions made the fieldsmen wring their hands after an attempt to cut off sizzling drives.’ The report added that ‘Cocker reached his century in 97 minutes and once again proved his worth as an allrounder. Included in his score of 111 were 13 fours and two. sixes. This stamped Joe as one of the best and a certainty for inclusion in the Representative Whyalla team, playing against Port Pirie. He continued to impress both as a batter and medium paced bowler frequently mentioned as carrying his side in both aspects and for being a ‘match-winner’.
Aged 47, Joe’s younger brother Colin died on the 18th July ’71. Joseph died on the 2nd November 1982 and was buried in the Stirling Cemetery as was Colin.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion