William Lisle Rockley

William Lisle Rockley was born in 1896 at Nottingham the only son of Lisle a company director and Margaret Lizzie Rockley, nee Matheson 44 Richmond Drive, Mapperley Park, Nottingham. Lisle was born in 1860 at Radcliffe on Trent, Margaret Lizzie Matheson was born in 1870 at Scotland, married in 1890 at Hampstead, London they had a further child a daughter Janet Letitia born 1897 at Nottingham In 1911 the family were living at Cyrus Road, Nottingham, his parents were living with his sister Janet. In 1911 William was at boarding school at Margate he was 14 yrs of age. His probate was proven on 16th April 1918 at Nottingham, it shows him as William Lisle Rockley of Cyprus Road, Nottingham, Lieutenant in H M Army died 10th October 1917 in France his effects of £213 17 shillings and 4 pence were left to Lisle Rockley an advertising contractor.

He attended Grosvenor school, Waterloo Crescent, Nottingham. He was educated at Waverley School, Nottingham; Laleham, Margate; and in Paris, completing his education at the end of July 1914 (obituary). Joined University College Nottingham OTC.

Second Lieutenant Willia, Lisle Rockley received his commission in the York and Lancaster Regiment in December 1914. He served in Gallipoli where he was wounded and won the Military Cross. After the evacuation of Gallipoli he transferred to the Western Front. At the time of his death he was acting adjutant. He was killed by a shell; he has no known grave and is commemorated on Tyne Cot Memorial. His citation for his military cross was published in the London Gazette on 22nd January 1916 reads :- “For conspicuous gallantry and ability in the Gallipoli Peninsula. “He made two valuable reconnaissances of the enemy’s positions and working parties, and sited a work under heavy fire. The latter operation was one of great risk and difficulty, and Lieut. Rockley showed great coolness and determination.”

An article published in the Nottingham Evening Post dated 24th January 1916 concerning his Military Cross reads:- “THE MILITARY CROSS. “LIEUT. W. L. ROCKLEY'S DISTINCTION. “Nottingham is specially interested in the announcement that the Military Cross has been awarded to Temporary Second-Lieut W. L. Rockley, of the 11th Battalion York and Lancasters. “Lieut. Rockley is the only son Mr. and Mrs. L. Rockley, Cyprus-road. He was educated at Margate and in Paris, and completed his education in the latter city on July 30th, 1914. Immediately after his arrival home, Lieut. Rockley, who is only 19 years of age, joined the Nottingham University Officers' Training Corps, since no other avocation in life appealed to him at so critical a juncture in his country's history. He was given a commission the 11th Battalion of York and Lancasters the following October. He obtained his certificate as a proficient officer at Norwich, and after training with his regiment at various camps in this country was sent to Suvla Bay in September last. In the course of the operations he was wounded, and as a result has been in hospital at Malta. Lieut. Rockley is believed to be the first representative of the billposting industry to receive the Military Cross, and his father, who is the managing director Rockley's, Limited, has already been warmly congratulated by the United Billposters' Association, which he has twice been chairman, upon his son's distinction.” Transcript of newspaper obituary: 'Lieut WL Rockley MC: Mr and Mrs L Rockley, Cyprus-road, Nottingham, have received information that their only son, Lieut William Lisle Rockley, was killed in action on October 11th. (sic) He was educated at Waverley School, Nottingham; Laleham, Margate; and in Paris, completing his education at the end of July 1914. He immediately joined the Nottingham University Officers’ Training Corps and gained a commission in the York and Lancaster Regiment in December. He proceeded to Gallipoli in the summer of 1915 and in addition to being wounded served with such distinction that in November he was awarded the Military Cross for conspicuous gallantry and ability. He made two valuable reconnaissances of the enemy’s positions and working parties, and sited a work under heavy fire. The latter operation was one of great risk and difficulty, and Lieut Rockley showed great coolness and determination. The gallant young officer remained on the peninsula until the evacuation, in which he took an active part. In February of this year he was sent to France and shortly afterwards he was appointed ‘Intelligence Officer’ for his battalion. At the time of his death he was acting adjutant. Lieut Rockley was killed instantaneously by a shell when proceeding to the lines in the company of his CO and the medical officer, the latter being dangerously wounded at the same time. Deceased was in his 21st year.” His father laid out Rockley Memorial Park in Radcliffe on Trent in memory of his son and the men from Radcliffe on Trent who had died in the war (WMA 27271).