Brien Colden Antill Pockley

Details

BiographyBrien Pockley enlisted in the 1st Military and Naval Expeditionary Force sent to capture German New Guinea. He received his commission in August 1914.

During Australia's first battle of the war, he tended the wounds of a captured German officer and Australian Able Seaman Williams Williams. To protect the group from snipers, he gave his Red Cross armband to one of the soldiers carrying Williams' stretcher.

He then went forward and was shot. Both he and Williams later succumbed to their wounds, being the first men in Australian uniforms to die in the war.

His bravery in giving up his armband was recognised by the award of a Mention in Despatches.

His first name is often misspelt "Brian".Age24Date of Death11 September 1914Civil employmentMedical practitioner Last edited by: Neil Chippendale

EducatedChurch of England Grammar School, North Sydney, NSW Last edited by: Neil Chippendale

RelationshipsSon of Dr Francis Antill Pockley and Helen Clare Pockley (née Hooke) of "Greystanes", Burns Road, Wahroonga. Brother of John Graham Antill Pockley who also fell in the war.

Service Information

RankCaptainRegimentAustralian Army Medical CorpsPlace of deathKabakaul, New GuineaBattleNew GuineaMemorial/Cemetery Rabaul War Cemetery, Papua New GuineaWahroonga War MemorialMemorial NotesAlso commemorated on the war memorial of St Andrew's Anglican Church, Wahroonga. Last edited by: Neil Chippendale

KeywordsFirst World War Last edited by: Neil Chippendale

Wahroonga

WW1

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Brien Colden Antill Pockley