Henry Thomas Cockram
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 16 Apr 1891 |
| Place of Birth | Cannington, Western Australia |
| Death | 30 Dec 1956 |
| Place of Death | Victoria Park, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 25 years, 2 months |
| Description | 5'2½" (1.59m) tall; weight 118 lbs (53.5 kg); dark complexion, brown eyes, brown hair |
| Occupation | orcharist |
| Religion | Church Of England |
| Address | Albany road, Kelmscott, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Mother Mrs betsy Cockram |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 3030 |
| Date of Enlistment | 24 Jun 1915 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 11th Battalion, 10th Reinforcement to D Company, transferred to 51st Battalion / 13th Brigade, 4th Division |
| Date of Embarkation | 13 Sep 1915 - unknown at Port Suez |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A32 Themistocles |
| Date of Return | 13 Feb 1917 - 12 Apr 1917 |
| Ship Returned On | HMAT A38 Ulysses |
| Fate |
Wounded in Action 14/16 Aug 1916, Mouquet Farm Returned to Australia |
| Monument | Kelmscott |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
An earlier attempt by Henry to enlist was rejected due to his not meeting the height standard.
War Service
Arrived in Blackboy Hill camp on 24 Jun 1915, and a week later was allocated to the 11th Battalion's, 10th reinforcement draft.
On arrival in Egypt he was allocated to D Company of the 11th Battalion, joining them on 7 Jan 1916 at Tel-el-Kebir.
On 1 Mar 1916, in Serapeum he became one of the first members of the new 51st Battalion, with whom he travelled to France from Alexandria aboard the HMT Ivernia, arriving in Marseilles at 7:00am on 11 Jun 1916. The battalion disembarked the following day following the unloading of stores, and entrained for Abbeville.
The date of his injury is not specified other than that he had received a GSW to his left thigh, left leg and head during the 51st Battalion's attack on Mouquet Farm and the subsequent shelling and counter attack by the Germans during 14/16 Aug 1916. 302 casualties were sustained by the 16th Battalion during their two day stint in the front line. Few details of his treatment are included in his records, other than that on 30 Aug 1916 he was placed aboard the HS Stad Antwerpen in Calais for the trip to England and he was then admitted to the 4th Northern General Hospital.
Some nine weeks passed before he was transferred to the 3rd Auxiliary Hospital, and 19 more days before he was discharged to Weymouth depot where he was processed for early return to Australia.
Discharged 5th Military District 30 Jun 1917.
240th Casualty List...previously reported severely wounded; H.T. Cockram (Kelmscott) progressing favourably.[1]..arrives home aboard a Hospital Ship.
Post War
Stood unsuccessfully for election to Jandakot Roads Board East Ward (Forrestdale, Westfield).[2]
In 1916 and 1925 to 1943 Electoral Rolls he is an orchardist in Kelmscott.
Served in World War 2 with Regimental Number W32235