Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Mention in Despatches

Awarded, and promulgated, 'London Gazette' No. 31448 (11 July 1919); 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 124 (30 October 1919).

Frederick James Cocks, known as Fred, was born in July 1889 at Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire, England UK, one of 5 sons born to his parents John and Emma Cocks.  His brothers were Walter, Edward, Francis and Leonard.  After completing his education he became a draper and served for 2 years with the Territorial Force, a part-time volunteer component of the British Army.  At some point Fred made his way to Australia and settled in Adelaide SA. 

On 8th December 1914, aged 25, Fred enlisted for WW1 at the Australian Army Medical Corps (AAMC) Base Depot at Oaklands Camp SA.  His service number was 2297, his rank Private and his unit the 3rd Field Ambulance (3FA).  He’s described as being 5ft 10ins tall with a fair complexion, blue eyes and brown hair.  On 15th February 1915 he proceeded from Oaklands Camp to Morphettville Camp to continue his training and then to Keswick Hospital from 1st April to 1st June 1915 when he embarked from Adelaide on HMAT Botanist bound for Gallipoli.

He arrived at Gallipoli on 9th August and a month later was admitted to the 3FA with pyrexia…a fever of unknown source.  He re-joined his unit 2 days later and remained on the Peninsula for the remainder of the Campaign.  He was one of the last troops to be evacuated on HMT Caledonia and disembarked at Alexandria on 27th December 1915.  He proceeded to Tel-el-Kebir Camp.

Fred and the 3FA embarked from Alexandria on 27th March 1916 on HMT Kingstonian bound for France. 

Also serving in the 3rd Field Ambulance was my grandfather, Cyril Morsley.  He kept a diary and the following is an extract from his diary on the 30th March 1916 documenting what happened during the voyage.

“Retired at 7.30pm.  All lights out, etc.  At 9.15pm I heard the cry “Man Overboard!” and the steam hooter on the funnel made an awful din.  It appears that Fennell (Private P.E.R. 2252) walked in his sleep and walked over the rail.  The Sentry saw him and shouted.  We went full steam astern, lowered a boat and a buoy etc. but did not recover his body.  Continued on with the journey by 9.45pm.”

Fred and the 3rd Field Ambulance disembarked on the 3rd April at Marseilles, France, and entrained there on a 3 day journey.  They detrained at Godewaersvelde then marched to a village called Pradelles where the unit was billeted in a farmhouse and barn.  In mid-May the unit moved to Sailly just 2.5 miles from the front.  In late May and early June they were heavily bombarded and suffered heavy casualties and then endured a gas attack in mid-June.  Over the next several months they travelled throughout northern France and were involved in the Battles at Pozieres and Mouquet Farm.  By early September they had made their way to Belgium. 

Records show that on 9th September 1916, along with my grandfather Cyril, Fred was recommended for his constant good work at various Officers’ Rest Homes operated by the 3FA during the period of 1st March 1916 to 1 September 1916.  It states that “At all times he has been untiring in his services to the sick and wounded and has proved himself thoroughly reliable and a most efficient worker.”  However, no award was forthcoming for this recommendation. 

On 11th November 1916, while serving at the 1st Anzac Rest Station at Buire, the camp was bombed by the enemy.  The following is recorded in the Unit Diary:

“At 00.40 this morning an enemy aeroplane flying low, dropped 6 bombs on the 1st Anzac Rest Station.  Five patients were killed outright, thirty three wounded more or less seriously and three slightly.  Of the personnel at this station one was killed, four seriously wounded and one slightly wounded.  All of these belonged to No. 3 Australian Field Ambulance.  One bomb was dropped on the Orderly Room, destroying a number of the records of the station and of the unit.  Damage was done to four marquee tents and eight bell tents.  The distinguishing lamps were burning brightly at the time the attack was made.” 

My grandfather Cyril also records this event in his diary:

“Was in full swing with Medicals - Taubes overhead and shrapnel bursting all around.  Bombed our camp and at 2 o’clock…poor McNeil was brought in nearly dead - grasped on my arm.  Later Staff Sergeant Bannister came in with fractured femur and buttock blown off.  Sergeant Roy Elliott was killed and 8 others.  Patients many, 36 wounded, I dressed most, some very serious…Corporal Grieves and Baxter.  4 o’clock 2 Germans - 1 Lieutenant & Sergeant Major - walked in and gave up as prisoners, burst of machine gun about 1klm away.” 

From Cyril’s diary the following day:

“Gas helmets on.  Germans are after our dump of ammunition with gas shells nearby apparently & they will blow us up yet!  Staff Sergeant Bannister died tonight 7pm.  ‘Dad’ (one of the Drs) had just visited him…hip gone and split nearly in halves.  I saw him as he died – I saluted and left sad.  Three of our men gone now.”

Fred saw out 1916 by taking leave from late December till early January 1917. 

On 3rd June 1917 Fred was promoted to Lance Corporal and a month later was admitted to the Australian Divisional Rest Station (ADRS) with trench mouth.  He re-joined his unit 9 days later. 

Records show that on 24th September 1917 Fred was recommended for the Military Medal for his actions at the Menin Road Battle in mid-September 1917.  The following is the recommendation for this, however, Fred was never awarded this decoration. 

“During the 1st Australian Division offensive from 15th to 23rd September 1917 at the Menin Road Battle this N.C.O. was in charge of a Tent Subdivision, Advanced Dressing Station.  His administration of this Subdivision was conducted with conspicuous efficiency and his distribution of the duties of his personnel and his own personal skill, were greatly instrumental in enabling the rapid evacuation of cases and maintaining the efficiency of the Dressing Station.  The ADS was constantly under enemy shell fire but this did not interfere with the high standard of work of Lance Corporal Cocks who displayed the greatest coolness on all occasions and set an excellent example to those under his charge.  This N.C.O. was recommended for similar good work on 9th September 1916, without securing recognition.” 

Fred remained with the 3FA throughout 1917 taking part in the Battles at Bullecourt, Third Ypres, Menin Road and Polygon Wood.  He took leave in late October to early November and re-joined his unit in Belgium. 

In March 1918 Major General H B Walker, the General Officer Commanding the 1st Australian Division, inspected the 3FA and a week later General Birdwood presented 8 Military Medals to men of the unit for their actions in the Menin Road Battle in September 1917.  Fred saw more action in 1918 taking part in the Battle of Amiens in August.  He took leave for most of November 1918 and in January 1919 he was given leave to the UK. 

On 30th January 1919 he was made Temporary Staff Sergeant and while acting in this position he was awarded a mention in Sir Douglas Haig’s Despatch on 16th March 1919 for his service during the period from 16th September to 11th November 1918. 

Fred embarked from France for England on 20th March 1919 and embarked from England for return to Australia on 30th April 1919 on HT Karagola.  He disembarked in Adelaide SA on 9th June 1919 and was discharged on 1st August 1919. 

Fred passed away at Plympton SA on 27th January 1960 aged 71 and was buried in the Centennial Park Cemetery, Pasadena SA.  His grave memorial plaque is located in the RSL Section, Wall 120, Niche A013.  He is commemorated on the Unley Town Hall WW1 Honour Board. 

Frederick James Cocks was awarded for service in WW1 the 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal and the Anzac Commemorative Medallion.   

Respectfully submitted by Sue Smith 17th November 2022.