COCKING, Kerslake William (1894-1964)
Sales Manager and AIF lieutenant 'Kersey' Cocking was born 2 January 1894, the son of Elijah Cocking and Ellen Taylor nee Fitzsimmons. He was enrolled at Geelong College as a boarder in 1907 continuing to the end of 1908. His address at enrolment was 'Ghalassa', Fitzroy St, St Kilda. His father's names was enterd as 'Lige' in the register.
He enlisted (No 2036) in the 300 Mechanical Transport ASC 17 Divisional Supply Column (December 1914 Reinforcements) on 17 September 1914, embarked for Egypt on HMAT A40 Ceramic on 22 December 1914. He was hospitalised in Malta in 1915 whilst on Active Service. On11 April, 1917 he was sent to England and was discharged from the AIF into British Army. He was promoted to Lieutenant in the Royal Flying Corps, following additional training at the Exeter College in 1917. He signed his name as Kersey on the Attestation Record which noted that he was in a 'Public School Cadet Force' before the war.
He was a commercial traveller. He returned to Australia after the war and was associated with Lige Cocking and Son, general Drapers and Mercers in Malvern, Victoria.
He died in 1964.
Sources: Based on an edited extract from Geelong Collegians at the Great War compiled by James Affleck; p.156 (citing Australian War Memorial; Pegasus; The National Archives (of Britain) Ref No WO 339/85560)' Pegasus April 1909 p6.