Joseph Francis HOCKING

Joseph Francis Hocking was born 3 November 1888 in Georgetown, Queensland, to Benjamin Hocking and Louisa Matilda Schroder the third eldest of 9  children, Louisa Mary born 1883, Benjamin Frederick 1885, Lillian 1890, then Joseph Archelaus (Archibald) 1892, Percy William 1896, Olive 1898, Leonard Ernest 1900, and Frances May 1902.

Joseph’s father was an engine driver in Golden Gate, a gold mining town North West of Croydon and died in 1910.  His Mother Louisa died in Townsville in 1948.

Joseph worked as a labourer in Chillagoe and Ayr Queensland.

On his enlistment in Townsville he gave his age as 24 years 10 months, his occupation as a labourer and next of kin his mother Mrs. B. Hocking, Chillagoe via Cairns North Queensland.  His height was 5 feet 7 inches, weighed 9 stone 6 pounds with fair complexion, brown eyes and brown hair. His religion was Church of England.

Joseph was wounded in action in France on the 9 August 1916 and rejoined his battalion in September 1916. He was reported Missing in Action on the 11 April 1917 and reported captured, Prisoner of War in Germany.

He had been wounded sustaining injuries to his jaw and right leg from machine gun bullets and was taken to Reincourt, FranKreich. Joseph Francis Hocking died on the 13 April 1917 and is buried in the Munster Camp Prisoner of War Cemetery, re-interred Hamburg Cemetery at Ohlsdorf, Germany.