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John, known as Jock was the youngest son born on the 20th June 1916 at Bordertown to James Edward and Jessie Ann Hood. Jock’s siblings included Melville, Jean, Olive and Iris. The family moved from the South-East to live in Berri where James farmed at Sandalwood and served as a Justice of the Peace and Councillor in the East Murray Ward in the late 20’s.
Jock and his siblings attended the local Sandalwood School where celebrations were held in December with stalls, a Christmas tree and concert. (Olive was frequently involved in the concerts, giving a recitation.) In 1930, an excursion to Renmark enabled students to see the irrigation schemes in action. That year Jock scored a creditable 460 marks in his Qualifying Exam (but as he had already gained a certificate the previous year, a second was not issued.) Jock initially played football for the local Sandalwood team and was a regular goal scorer.
As were so many of the locals, Jock was employed at the Berri Company Packing Sheds. On the 17th July ’35 he married Daphne Verdun Mary Clark of Thebarton at the Karoonda manse. He then joined the Berri Football team and was quickly nominated as Captain. He was also selected to play in the Upper Murray Representative team against the Norwood Premiers in a match at Renmark. He was one of eight Berri players who were selected, with Jock’s performance during the game being exceptional.
While Jock and Daphne lived at Monash, Jock was employed at the Berri Distillery as a shift worker. Unfortunately, on October 24, ’38 he was at the top of one of the 5,000-gallon concrete wine tanks, handling a hose but whilst pulling it, he fell to the floor sustaining several injuries, and was admitted to the Berri Hospital.
Jock was fortunate to return to playing football for Berri the following season, as captain leading his team to victory. A feature was him scoring a goal from the centre with a prodigious punt kick. At the end of the season enjoyed a Victory Smoke Social where the splendid team spirit of the group both on and off the field was praised by the Upper Murray Association. With the war looming, and young men enlisting, Berri fielded four B grade players in their 18. Jock played at centre half back with the newspaper summarising his efforts ‘However, the lake-siders for the greater part elected to feed Hood's brilliance, and he thrived on it. He marked from every conceivable angle and position and was not beaten during the quarter, despite an obvious disadvantage through an injured heel.’ Playing in the ruck and dependent on the support of younger players, Jock was named best player. After the match it was shared that so many regular players had ‘joined the colours’ including SX7964Diver Derrick (Tom), Jock, SX8411 Allen R. Rix, and in the 2/8th SX5215 R. Wilkinson, and J. Munroe.
Jock enlisted on the 5th July ’40 at Berri. He was allocated the number SX8063 and placed in the newly formed 2/48th Battalion with several others from Berri. (Jock’s sister, Kathleen Olive also later enlisted on the 10th December ’42 as Gunner SF84280 and was eventually discharged in August ’44.)
By September, Jock had received further accolades by winning the heavyweight championship boxing contest at the Wayville Military camp.
Following early training, the new enlistees returned home for brief pre-embarkation leave. A huge crowd gathered at the Berri Rivoli Theatre to farewell the young men and a hard working local, Mrs. Knappstein who had been instrumental in organising social events for the soldiers. In all 22 ‘Young Diggers’ were farewelled. Acknowledgement was made that the spirit of adventure was part of the reason to enlist, but a love of Australia and their community was also motivation. Particularly noted was the many members of the Berri Football team and their Captain, Jock. They were wished well, with the community looking forward to their homecoming after a successful: victory on the other side.
A presentation of a money belt, a £1 note, and a pair of socks from the Comforts Fund was made to each soldier, followed by a message from the WWI Returned Diggers. Responding to the criticism that the enemy derided the "polyglot armies" of the Empire, the response was "God help them when they met that polyglot army". Jock spoke for the boys in khaki especially wishing the Berri Football Club all the best and he hoped to be with them all again, and to play with them.
Soon Jock and his fellow soldiers were aboard the Stratheden on the 7th November, arriving in the Middle East on the 11th December.
Within five months of arriving, Jock was wounded. In his detailed, annotated book of diary entries ‘Derrick VC In His Own Words’, Mark Johnston shared the entry for ‘3 May 1941 (Saturday) Behind the Blue Line, Tobruk ‘Getting over the bloody blue a bit now – Have just learnt one of the original team Jock Hood wounded when truck hit by the shell, luckily not serious – Fritz still shelling 3 (or 8) casualties in 9 Plt in trenches. The ray of sunshine again letter from wife.’ Back home, the July issue of the Murray Pioneer newspaper shared that ‘Driver John Cameron Hood, of Berri, whose photo was published in these columns last week, has been reported wounded in. action. To River residents the soldier is better known as "Jock," Berri football skipper and one of the most brilliant players in the ET.M. Association. "Jock" Is 25 years of age and is the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Hood, of Veitch. He is married and has one child. Mrs. E. Davidson, of Renmark is a sister of Driver Hood.’
Jock’s official record describes his injuries as a gunshot wound to his left shoulder, left thigh and mandible for which he was evacuated to hospital. While these injuries healed, Jock had time with various Training battalions before finally being able to return to the 2/48th at the start of November. News spread fast with ‘Diver’ Derrick writing:
‘13 June 1941 (Friday) ‘Awakened at 1230 by Ike Jenkenson and Dick Rix. Had a good pow wow. Learnt that our china plate Jock is doing alright. Deutchland reported sunk’.
Back home, Jock’s wife, Daphne and her friend were both involved in a car accident on the Barmera Road while riding home from work in the packing house. Daphne was thrown violently against the car and both cycles were badly smashed. Motorists took the injured women to the Berri Hospital where they remained for several months.
Whenever the River enlistees met, the news was relayed back home and shared in the local newspaper. Familiar names included Jock Hood, Ike Jenkinson, "Snagger" Reed, and others, many from the 2/48th. An interesting description from Pte John Morrell reflected conditions “We are leading rather an animal-like experience these days—living in dug-outs and doing our prowling and hunting by nights, but it has its amusing sides. When an air raid comes over we scamper to our burrows Just like a lot of scared rabbits when they see a man with a gun.” These were how the men lived – and earned the initial derogatory title, later proudly owned as Rats of Tobruk. Morrell added “Washing water is a little bit scarce here, although we get plenty to drink, but we offset that by a swim as often as it is possible and there are several lovely little, bays around here that would be very popular back home. “
Morrell (from Glossop) also wrote “Jock Hood and Bill Westley and Co. are also in the vicinity, and their crowd have seen quite a bit of action and are building up a big name for themselves.”
In the battle for Tobruk, John Glenn in Tobruk to Tarakan described how the Australian mortars were out-ranged, but equipment left by Italian troops was utilised. Unfortunately, there were no secondary charges discarded and available to be used. The men improvised with cellophane from cigarette packs rolled into tubes and filled with cordite. The strength of the charge depended on who filled the tubes. ‘Those filled by Jock Hood and Jimmy Winch, generous in all things, had the explosive kick of an atomic bomb, and always ended up somewhere in the blue.’
Similarly, when Bill Westley was invalided back to Berri with a debilitating foot injury in February ‘42, he shared that “Speaking of other members of the Berri Football Club Bill Westley said that Jock Hood received a nasty wound in the arm and thigh, but it had healed nicely and he was back with his unit.”
By May ’42 The desert conditions of sand, dry winds and lack of eye protection caused the growth of tissue on Jock’s eye (called Peterygium) which was treated for a week. The following month, Jock then contracted an extremely high temperature and again had a week in hospital. On his discharge he was graded as a Group II Mechanic with his battalion.
Fortunately, the men were able to head home via Melbourne in February ’43 and Jock had precious time with his family. Training in Queensland followed as the men prepared to face a very different enemy in the humidity of New Guinea. Jock’s health continued to deteriorate with pleurisy, amoebic hepatitis and finally a lung abscess, emphysema and a cerebral abscess. The Advertiser in August ’43 reported that ‘Mrs. Daphne Hood, of Randolph street. Thebarton, formerly of Berri, has been notified that her husband, Pte. J. C. (Jock) Hood, AIF, has been removed from the seriously ill to the dangerously ill list Pte. Hood is the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Hood, of Veitch.’
Aged just 27, Jock died in Queensland on the 4th September 1943. His wound does not seem to have been entered in official records. The Advertiser on the 9th September placed a poignant tribute to him. ‘WAR CASUALTIES Pte. "Jock" Hood Dies Of Illness Mrs. Daphne N. Hood of 19 Randolph Street, Thebarton (formerly of Berri) has received advice that her husband Pte. J. C. ("Jock") Hood (AIF returned) died of illness on September 4, and his remains were laid to rest on September 5, in a war cemetery in Queensland. Pte. Hood served in all desert campaigns, including the siege where he was wounded in 1941. He then went to Syria and was with the 9th Division at El Alamein returning to Australia in February of this year. Pte. Hood was well known and respected throughout the River districts. He was a keen footballer having been captain and one of the most brilliant players of the strong Berri eighteen. He was the young son of Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Hood, of Veitch. There is one small daughter, Yvonne.’
Jock now rests in the Atherton War Cemetery in Plot A Row B Grave 8. The poignant inscription reads ‘ Our Hero, His life ever a beautiful memory, His Duty Done’.
Jock was also remembered by so many people from all walks of life.
Advertiser Saturday 11 September 1943, HOOD. J. C. (Jock)—Died of illness. Sept. 4. Cherished memories are all that is left.—inserted by his brother Melville, sister-in-law Olive, and family. HOOD.—A tribute of honor and remembrance to Pte. Jock Hood, died September 4. In the morning and at the going down of the sun. we will remember him.—Mr.-Mrs. Horace Bird.
Advertiser Monday 13 September 1943, HOOD, J. C. —A tribute of honor and remembrance to Jock Hood (A.I.F., returned), died of illness Sept. 4. —Inserted by his school pals, Len and Bert.
Advertiser Monday 4 September 1944, HOOD J.C. (Jock") ln loving memory of our dear son and brother who died of illness in Queensland September 4. 1943. Hearts that loved you never forget.—inserted by his loving Parents, brother and sisters. HOOD—A tribute of honor to Jock, died September 4- 1943- We think of you in silence with grief so deep and true there is always that sad longing, could we only speak to you. - Always remembered by Elsie and Ike. HOOD A tribute to my brother Jock 2/48th Batt. ‘In silence we remember’. Inserted by Jean, Lawrie (R.A.A.F.) abroad. HOOD ln loving memory of Jock, who died of illness, North Queensland, September 4th 1943 Always remembered by Jack, Myrtle and Joan. HOOD In memory of my brother Jock who died at Atherton, Qld September 4 1943. Always remembered by Olive. HOOD J.C. SX8063. 2/48th. A.I.F. — In loving memory of Jock died September 4, 1943. Time drifts on, twelve months have passed but memories or you always last. - Inserted by Allan and Audrey. -HOOD-J.C. In memory of our dear pal Jock who passed away of illness on September 4th 1943. You are always in our thoughts; one of the best. Ever remembered by Charlie Reed, Harold Jenkinson, R. McDonnel and all members of the 2/48th Btn. HOOD Tributes of honour and remembrance to Jock who died September 4th 1943. “A great soldier and a fine man”. Ever remembered by Lorna and Jack. HOOD In memory of my pal Jock who passed away on September 4 1943 remembered By his old pal Leck. HOOD.—In loving memory of our dear brother, brother-in-law and uncle Jock who died of illness, September 4th 1943. In silence we remember. Inserted by Iris, Keith, Vic and Valda. HOOD A tribute to Jock, who passed away September 4 1943. He had a kind word for all and died beloved by all. Inserted by Dank and Con. HOOD Private J.C. A tribute of honour and love to our friend Jock, died of illness Sept 4 1943. A thought for today, a memory forever. Mamie and Ted. HOOD A tribute of love and remembrance to my dearest brother. Jock who died in Queensland of sickness. Sept 4 1943. Not Just today, Jock dear but every day in silence I remember; your smile a beautiful memory, your absence a lasting sorrow. Inserted by his loving sister Doris and family. HOOD A tribute to the memory of Jock who died of illness Sept 4 1943. Ever remembered by Phill and Allen. HOOD In loving memory of our brother-in-law, Jock A.I.F. ret., died of illness in Queensland Sept 4 1943. A great soldier and a fine man, we will always remember. Inserted by Cyril, Jean, nephews Robert and Barry. HOOD.—In proud remembrance of our brother-in-law. Jock, late 9th Div. died of illness. Queensland. Sept. 4. 1943— Always remembered by Olive Mannie. HOOD - A tribute of honor and remembrance to our brother-in-law Jock, A.I.F.- who died of illness. Queensland, Sept 4th 1943. Ever remembered by Avice and Bas. HOOD.—A tribute to the memory of my pal Jock- who died of illness Sept 1943 - always remembered by his pal, Pat Hameister. HOOD. Jock. 2/48th. A.U.. ret. M.E. —A proud tribute of love and remembrance to my beloved husband, died of illness September 4th 1943 Qld. Beautiful memories treasured forever, of those precious happy years that he was mine.— Sadly missed, but forever remembered, by his dearly loved wife. Daphne. HOOD. John Cameron.—I treasure memories of my dear daddy, who was called to higher service one year ago God walked in His beautiful garden and clasped my, daddy's hand.—Sadly missed by his darling daughter. Yvonne. HOOD A lifelong remembrance to our dear son-in-law. Jock, died of ill ness, Sept. 4. 1943.—Sadly missed, but always remembered by E.B. and M.M. Clark, brother-in-law Lance A.I.F.

With peace finally declared, in August ’46 a final Welcome Home was held at the Monash Memorial Hall. Later in the evening the Ode of Remembrance was recited. After a minute’s silence the names of those who had made the supreme sacrifice were read, including Jock Hood.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.