James Henry Hocking was born in Ballarat and was a Labourer by trade when he enlisted in the 28th Battalion on 22 September 1916 at the age of 27. His unit embarked from Fremantle, Western Australia, on board HMAT A34 Persic on 29 December 1916. August 1918 proved to be a very eventful month for him. First he was charged for being æAbsent Without Leave from 2.00 am on 11/8/'18 until surrendering to Sgt. Wilson at 2.00 pm on 13/8/'18 near Amiens.' Two weeks later on August 29th he received a gunshot wound to the head which required his evacuation to England. It was then determined he should return to Australia. He arrived in Melbourne on the Wandilla on May 18th 1919 and was discharged æmedically unfit' in October of that year.
Tree No. 1931