Boyns Hedley Hocking by Tovie Hallion

Captain Boyns Hocking

Service Number: VX68883

Darwin was bombed on the 19th of February 1942, when the Imperial Japan Navy invaded Pearl Harbour. One of the victims of the Darwin bombing was Boyns Hedley Hocking. He may only have been a single death, but his life was significant as any and his legacy still lives on.

Born on the 23rd of December 1887, Boyns entered the world. He was raised in Rupanyup, a small town in Victoria, where his parents, William Henry and Louisa Elizabeth Hocking neutered him throughout his childhood. He spent his early school years at Healesville, which brought him to his love of nature.

However, his family relocated to Melbourne, as his father got offered a higher-paying job. Moving from a rural area to a populated city environment, Boyns had the opportunity for a better education, which he pursued his studies at the University of Melbourne. He then gained his dental degree after a few years of studying and working at Melbourne Dental Hospital.

After moving out of home, Boyns brought his own residence in Hawthorn, and even opened his own dental business. Then In 1917, he married Florence Elizabeth and had two children a few years later, John and Jean. Boyns served with the Red Cross Emergency Service and due to his love of nature, Boyns joined the Hawthorn Boys Scouts Association.

Boyns practiced as a dentist for 20 years, before enlisting in the Army on the 30^th of May 1940. He originally joined citizen forces, then due to his dental degree and many years of experience, he found he was better suited for the Australian Army Medical Corps. Which he later enlisted to. After a year and 7 months of service on the 18th of December 1941, Boyns was given the rank of Captain. He was then posted for service on the 2/1 Hospital ship HMAHS Manunda located in Darwin Harbour.

After the air raid signal and the distant noise of planes filled the air, chaos began. Boyns was on board the ship during this time, fulfilling his duty of caring for patients. However, Japanese aircraft were destroying ships, buildings and taking lives. One of these ships included the HMAHS Manunda, which Boyns served on. The ship was hit with shrapnel before being hit by a bomb. This caused 12 deaths on board the ship, and 47 serious injuries. Boyns was one of the deaths on board.

Captain Boyns Headley Hocking’s body was never recovered, and he has no known grave. However, his presence remains at the Adelaide River War Cemetery in Northern Territory, where he was given a plaque of remembrance. After his death he was celebrated by his dental peers, the Hawthorn Boy’s Scout’s Association, the Red Cross Emergency Service associates, phonograph society of Victoria and of course his family and close friends. His name was even mentioned in the Newspaper (The Argus), to celebrate his death. Boyns life touched many others, dying at 55 years old he was enriched with a longer life than others. However, his life was cut short by being killed in action among the tragedy of the Darwin bombing.

What was also interesting beyond Boyns grave, is that both of his children pursued their duty in war and served during World War 2. John served in the Airforce while Jean served in the Women’s Army.