No. 1877 John Alcock

John Alcock was born in 1871 in Wyndham Shire to Susan and John Alcock.  He had three brothers, Joseph, Edward and Thomas, as well as three sisters Rebecca, Ann and Isabella. They all lived on their father's farm at Tarneit, Wyndham Shire. 

John's father died 14 October 1903, leaving the farm to his wife Susan and all his children.  It could be sold once his youngest child reached the age of 21.  John stayed in the area as a farm labourer, but it is unknown if it was on his family farm.

War Service
John enlisted into the Army at Melbourne, Victoria on 19 June 1915.  He was aged 43 years and six months and was 5 feet nine and a half inches tall. John weighed thirteen stone, six pounds and had a chest measurement of thirty five and a half inches. His complexion was listed as ruddy, with hazel eyes and brown grey hair.  All of this was recorded at the time of his enlistment. 

His service number was 1877 and he disembarked at Alexandria on the 27 December 1915 and at Marseilles, France on the 26 March 1916. He was with the 3rd Reinforcements for the 21st Battalion and was a Private.

He was wounded on the back on 29 July 1916 and evacuated to the 44th Casualty Clearing Station France died of his wounds on the 9 August 1916 aged 44. 

He was buried on the 9 August 1916, at Purchvillers British Military Cemetery, 7 and a half miles south, sse of Doullens, France. 

His next of kin his mother, Mrs Susan Alcock, was living in Harts Parade, Camberwell, Victoria when she was notified.

Medals and Entitlements:

• British War Medal - 18 December 1921
• Victory Medal - 28 January 1923
• Memorial Scroll - 21 June 1920
• OnePlaque - 21 June 1922

War Records
http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/NameSearch

21st Battalion 
http://www.awm.gov.au/units/unit_11208.asp

Will of father John Alcock
http://prov.vic.gov.au/index_search?searchid=54 

Birth
Digger Victorian Pioneer index c-27338