Local Information:

Corporal Vockins was the son of Ephraim and Mary Vockins, of High Street, Hungerford, Berkshire. When he enlisted his place of residence was shown as Hungerford, but he enlisted in London. As a result of enlisting in London he was recruited into a London Regiment. He initially went to the 8th London Regiment. We are not sure when he went to France but on the 31st December 1917 he was awarded the Military Medal. He was awarded the bravery medal for actions carried out by him as a Lewis machine gunner during the defence of Bourlon Wood and Bourlon Village when they came under heavy German attack on the 30th November 1917.

Note: There is confusion over the dates at this point. On the 31st August 1917 the 1st/8th were disbanded with 200 men going to the 2nd/8th and the remainder going to the 1st/17th and 1st/24th London Regiments. Yet there is still a battalion war diary in place for the 1st/8th referring to the award of the Military Medal.

He died on Saturday, 23rd March 1918 and is buried in Sailly-Saillisel British Cemetery, Somme, France. His officer later wrote to his parents stating "what a brave lad he was and that no man in the platoon gave him more assistance in the great battle and had he lived he would have been recommended for further decoration". He was one of four brother from the same family who were killed in action.

Regimental Information:

At some point he was transferred to the 17th London Regiment, and later back to the 8th.

Corporal Sidney Vockins MM

The cap badge of the Post Office Rifles.