DOCKING, Edward William
| Service Number: | VX27127 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 14 June 1940, Caulfield, Vic. |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 2nd/21st Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Alexandra, Murrindindi - Victoria, Australia, 16 October 1919 |
| Home Town: | Alexandra, Murrindindi, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Alexandra State School |
| Occupation: | Timber Worker |
| Died: | Presumed dead, Ambon, Netherlands East Indies, 20 February 1942, aged 22 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" |
| Memorials: | Ambon Memorial, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Ballarat Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial, Shire of Alexandra WW2 Honour Roll, Shire of Alexandra WW2 Memorial Wall |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Private, VX27127 | |
|---|---|---|
| 14 Jun 1940: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, VX27127, 2nd/21st Infantry Battalion, Caulfield, Vic. |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Mari Walker
Son of William Charles and Lily Docking, of Alexandra, Victoria, Australia.
Private Docking enlisted in June 1940 and embarked for overseas service in December 1941. He arrived in Ambon on 17 December 1941 and was a member of 2/21 Australian Infantry Battalion which was part of “Gull Force”. This force consisted of 1131 Australian soldiers, Dutch and local native troops whose objective was to occupy Ambon Island (approximately 350 miles NNE of Timor, in the Banda Sea) and hinder the Japanese advance.
Pte Docking was a member of a large garrison that was positioned around Laha Airfield prior to the Japanese invasion of 30 January 1942. Following a series of short but fierce battles, fighting on Ambon ceased on 2nd February 1942, after which Pte Docking was listed as missing. He was officially presumed deceased on 20 February 1942.
Died Whilst P.O.W.
Word has been received that E.W. Docking died whilst Prisoner of War at Laha, Ambonia, in February, 1942. Eddie was well and favorably known in Alexandra, where he was born and went to school as a boy. He enlisted early and was a member of the 2/21st Batt. The flags at the Shire Hall and the R.S.L. Rooms were flown at half-mast on Friday last as a tribute of respect to one of Alexandra's sons who had made the great sacrifice.
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