William Henry Pockley (1829 - 1881)

Born 29 Dec 1829 in Deptford, Kent, England

Husband of Eliza (Ballard) Pockley — married 1859 in Southampton, Hampshire, England

Died 31 Jan 1881 at age 51 in Bombay, Mahārāshtra, India

Biography

William Henry Pockley was born on 29th December 1829 in Debtford, Kent, England. He was the second son of Robert Pockley, whaler, and his wife, Sarah Ann (Fulcher) Pockley. William followed in his father's footsteps as far as being a sea captain. He seems to have made his first to Australian shores on 17th October 1851, as first mate (at 21 years of age!) of the brig Two Friends. As he visited Sydney, it is safe to say that he and older brother, Robert, caught up. William was there again in 1855, with the Breadalbane. This time Robert was married.

William married Eliza Ballard in 1859 at Southampton, Hampshire, England.^[1] They had two sons:

• Walter Henry Pockley (1860-)
• Sydney Robert Pockley (1862-)

He was chief officer of the Nubia in 1871, paying another pleasant surprise visit on Robert in Sydney. The following year, the four brothers spent time together in Sydney, for the first time all being together as Robert had migrated to Sydney before Tom was born. Both Tom and George now also lived in New South Wales. William was in Sydney once more in 1877, as captain of the Tangore and then visited regularly whilst in the south seas. He was unfairly dismissed by P & O and subsequently returned to England, probably restore his name and seek compensation.

Whilst in England, William was offered and accepted the position of dock-master in Bombay, India. It was here that he unexpectedly died on 31st January 1881, aged just 51 years.^[2]

Sources

1. ↑ UK FreeBMD Marriage Index Mar qtr 1859, vol 2c, page 50
2. ↑ Pockley Family; accessed 4 Sep 2018