Bernard Clarence Stockill (1896 - 1967)

Born 29 Feb 1896 in Wold Newton, Yorkshire East Riding, England, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Died 3 Jun 1967 at age 71 in Nambour, Queensland, Australia

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Jaye Guarrera [send private message]

Biography

Bernard was born 29 February 1886 in Wold Newton and he was baptised on the 18 September 1898 in Carnaby with his baby brother Harry Appleby . He was the first born son of William Pickering and Jane Schofield. The family immigrated to Queensland leaving Driffield taking the coach to London then onto the ship “the Goalpara”, a steam ship. Bernard travelled with his parents, half-sister Alice and brothers Harry and John. Also on board was his half-brother George William, who did not travel with the family. Not long into the voyage Bernard lost his baby brother in the Mediterranean  When they arrived in Brisbane in January 1900, the port would have been very busy as soldiers were embarking to serve in the Boer War including “the Goalpara”. The family took up land at Laidley outside of Brisbane. First born of William and Jane Ann, Bernard was educated at the Burnside and Glenore Grove State Schools

As a young man he enlisted to serve in World War 1 on the 1st August 1915 as a courier. Whilst in England he met and married Robina Boon Barrie, a young Scottish girl in Edinburgh.

He was a young man of 19 years and 6 months when he enlisted for the Great War on 09 November 1915 at Enoggera, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. His occupation was a stockman at Goomeri, Queensland at the time. Bernard stated he had experience with Goomeri Rifle Club He was described as 5 feet 10 inches (178cm) tall. He weighed 136 pounds (62kg) and had a dark complexion with blue eyes and brown hair. He also had two large moles on his right leg below his knee. Bernard noted his religion as Church of England. He was a single man and listed his father who was living at Goomeri at the time, as his next of kin. On 30 November 1915, Trooper Bernard C. Stockill of 2 L.H.R. (Light Horse Regiment) boarded the HMAT “Suffolk” at Sydney, New South Wales, Australia to serve his King and country. In March 1916, Bernard had taken on strength of 1 L.H.R.R. (Light Horse Reserve Regiment) at Heliopolis but remained with 2 L.H.R. On 21 April, he was transferred to 4 Divisional Cyclists Company at Serpeum and on 05 May, he was transferred to Divisional Military Police. In early June 1916, Bernard was attached to 13 Infantry Brigade Headquarters. He embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, disembarking Marseilles, France on 08 June. On 02 July, he was appointed Acting Corporal and the first mention of where he was at the time, France. Bernard was transferred to 12 A.I.B.H.Q. (Aust. Infantry Brigade Headquarters) in mid-October and immediately reverted to Private on transfer to 47 Battalion. Bernard was admitted to hospital in November with tonsillitis. He was discharged to Base Depot on 24 November and re-joined his unit on 05 January 1917. In February, Bernard was admitted to hospital with pleurisy and transferred to England. He was granted furlough (leave) in April and reported to No. 1 C.D. (Command Depot) on 17 April. On 24 April, Bernard was transferred to 69 Battalion at Wareham, England. On 23 August 1917, Bernard was charged with being absent without leave from noon on 20 August til 5.45pm on 22 August at Hardicott, England. He was awarded 7 days confined to base and forfeited a total of 6 days’ pay. Bernard marched out to No. 4 Group Camp at Codford and was transferred back to 47 Battalion. Bernard was admitted to hospital for 3 days in November with pleurisy.

At the end of January 1918, Bernard proceeded overseas to France from 12 Training Battalion, Codford re-joining 47 Battalion on 09 February. On 19 February, he was detached for duty at 4 Divisional Signal School and re-joined his unit a month later. On 05 April, 1918, Bernard was wounded in action when he suffered a gunshot wound to his left eye. He was discharged from hospital on 18 April and re-joined his unit on 01 June 1918. Two days later, Bernard was transferred to 45 Battalion in the field. On 18 September 1918, he was wounded a second time, when he suffered the effects of gas shell wounds. Bernard was admitted to 10 General Hospital at Rouen, France with gas poisoning before being evacuated to England. Granted furlough from 08 October to 23 October in England, Bernard overstayed his leave and was reported A.W.L. On 25 October, he was admitted to 2nd Scotland General Hospital, Edinburgh with influenza, which was reported to A.H.Q. On 01 November, Bernard was transferred to England and discharged to No. 2 C.D. at Harefield the next day. Bernard marched out to No. 1 C.D. ten days later. Bernard was A.W.L. from Sutton Veny,

England from 0900hrs on 26 February 1919 until 0900hrs on 12 March 1919, when he was apprehended. He was awarded a total of 29 days forfeiture pay.

On 03 July 1919, Bernard and Robina embarked Tilbury, England aboard the “H.T. Zealandic” for their voyage to Australia. Bernard was charged with neglect of duty on 31 July 1919, when he failed to report for guard duty at sea after being duly warned. He was awarded a forfeiture of 4 days’ pay.

Bernard and Robina disembarked Australia on 23 August and Bernard was discharged from the A.I.F. on 19 October 1919.

Returning to Australia with his new bride they lived for a time at Boondooma in the old store, before moving out on their own. Bernard became a “Jack of all Trades”, willing to do whatever he could to keep his family going.

1922 Goomeri via Wondai he was a Stockman 1923 they lived at Wondai 1925 they lived at Avondale, Musgrave Qld and Bernard was a fisherman 1936/7 they lived Queens Beach, Bowen and he was a salesman 1949 they lived at Bridges, in Yandina and he was a farmer Her father was David Clarence Boon Barrie and her mother was Christine nee Spence Paterson. Bernard died on the 3rd June 1967 and is buried in the Nambour Cemetery. Robina lived to be 101, she died September 2000. She is also buried in the Nambour Cemetery.

He passed away in 1967.

Sources

• Qld bdm search

Carnaby Parish Church Baptisms Qld Immigration Records, Qld Archives Australia Archives WW1 Nominal Roll Australian Archives Army Records WW1 Marriage Certificate Bernard Stockill Military War Record Qld Electoral Rolls Qld Death Registration Find A Grave website Family Informant