Local Information:

Private Vockins was the son of Ephraim and Mary Vockins, of High Street, Hungerford, Berkshire. We believe that prior to the war he may have been in the Red Cross. He joined the Royal Marine Light Infantry and went with the Portsmouth Battalion of the Royal Naval Division to Gallipoli in 1915.

He was killed in action on the 6th May 1915, age 21. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Turkey. He was one of four brothers killed in the same family.

Regimental Information:

The Brigade dairy reads:

28th April 1915 – Arrived at Kaba Tepe – Chatham and Portsmouth Battalions RMLI were ordered to land and relieve the Australians in the centre. These battalions landed during the afternoon and evening and relieved the trenches on the South East. Side of the main gully during the night. Chatham Battalion being on the left.

2nd May 1915 – At dawn Chatham and Portsmouth battalions were ordered to move to the support of these trenches. At 5.30 am The head of the gully rose perceptibly and much difficultly was experienced in learning the position of affairs in front. It was decided that Portsmouth would advance over the East Ridge and Chatham over he west ridge. The advance was carried out in the face of very heavy cross fire from shrapnel and machine guns and many casualties occurred. They held on for two hours but had to evacuate as hey were closely enfiladed from the left flank.

Private Edgar William Vockins

The cap badge of the
Royal Marine Light Infantry