Australian War Memorial Logo
Search

Donate Today

  • Collection Open Information Close Information
    • Official Histories & Unit Diaries
    • Understanding the Collection
    • Research at the Memorial
    • Donating to the Collection
    • National Collection Loans
    • Projects
  • People
  • Visit
  • Commemorate Open Information Close Information
    • Last Post Ceremony
    • Honour Rolls
    • Anzac Day
    • Remembrance Day
    • Customs & Ceremony
    • Speeches
  • Learn Open Information Close Information
    • Schools & Teachers
    • Memorial Articles
    • Encyclopedia
    • Understanding Military Structure
    • Podcasts
    • Glossary
    • Magazine
  • Get Involved Open Information Close Information
    • Donations & Bequests
    • Corporate Partnership
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Volunteer at the Memorial
    • Friends of the Memorial
    • eMemorial Newsletter
    • Grants, Scholarships & Residencies
    • Research Papers
  • Shop Open Information Close Information
    • Memorial Shop
    • Images, film and sound
    • Lone Pine Seedlings

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Memorial Articles
  3. blog
  4. Dig Deeper - A Different Story

Main navigation

  • Our People
  • Our Work
  • Our Organisation
  • Media Centre
  • Memorial Articles
    • Australians and Peacekeeping
    • Australians at war
    • Gulf War 1990-1991
    • Journal of the Australian War Memorial
    • Korean War 1950 - 1953
    • NAIDOC Week
    • RAAF Centenary
    • Victory in the Pacific Day
  • Speeches

Dig Deeper - A Different Story

Stuart Baines

27 August 2013

So often in the study of history it is easy to get caught up in the “big” events, or the story that has most struck a chord in the social consciousness. Sadly that often means that fascinating people, events and moments in time can go virtually unexplored. Maybe in the mystery or excitement of exploring something that is the lesser known story, we can inspire people and challenge them to get passionate about history.

As Europe moved ever closer to war from the end of July 1914, Germany’s presence in the Pacific was of increasing concern to Australia. Ships of the German East Asiatic Cruiser Squadron patrolled the area, and German troops occupied bases in Tsingtao in China, the Marshall and Caroline Islands, Samoa, the Admiralty Islands, and New Guinea.

Allied attacks were ordered on Germany’s Pacific territories to disable and capture radio-stations. To this end, the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force (ANMEF), made up of 500 naval reservists and 1000 infantrymen departed from Sydney on 19 August 1914. Four Australians lost their lives in the action that followed around Kabakaul, New Britain; the first Australian losses of the war.

Captain Brian Colden Antill Pockley, born 4 September 1890 in North Sydney, studied medicine at Sydney University and went on to work as a medical practitioner. In August 1914, aged 24, he enlisted in the Australian Army Medical Corps.  By 18 August he had been appointed a Captain. He left Australia with the ANMEF the following day.     

The island of New Britain formed part of the German colony of New Guinea, and the Expeditionary Force planned to sever communications between the island and the German Pacific fleet. On 11 September, Australians initially faced strong resistance from German soldiers in the thick jungle around Bitapaka. The wireless station was eventually captured and destroyed, but three sailors and an army doctor had lost their lives by nightfall.

Able Seaman William Williams was shot in the stomach.  Pockley handed his Red Cross armband to another naval serviceman to get Williams safely to the rear.  Shortly after, Pockley was also shot.  Pockley and Williams were taken back to HMAS Berrima but both died on board that afternoon.

Historian S.S. Mackenzie later wrote, “Pockley’s action in giving up his Red Cross badge, and thus protecting another man’s life at the price of his own, was consonant with the best traditions of the Australian army, and afforded a noble foundation for those of [the] Australian Army Medical Corps in the war”.

Portrait of a sailor

Able Seaman William George Vincent Williams was the first recorded Australian casualty of the First World War. Born in Richmond on 24 November 1885, Williams worked for the Melbourne City Council prior to his enlistment.

Portrait of Brian Pockley

Captain Brian Colden Antill Pockley of the Australian Army Medical Corps, Australian Naval and Expeditionary Force, in 1914.

Portrait of Pockley

2nd Lieutenant John Graham Antill Pockley, brother of Captain Brian Pockley. Like his older brother, John also served with the Australian Army Medical Corps, initially working on hospital transport ships. He was killed in action on 30 March 1918, in France, aged 26.

Author

Stuart Baines

Last updated: 30 March 2021

  • Back to Articles
1 The Donations and bequests

Donations & Bequests

Your generous donation will be used to ensure the memory of our Defence Forces and what they have done for us, and what they continue to do for our freedom remains – today and into the future.

Find out more
2 Visit Transcribe.awm.gov.au

Transcribe

Help preserve Australia's history by transcribing records from the National Collection. Enhance accessibility and discoverability for all Australians.

Find out more
The placesofpride

Places of Pride

Places of Pride, the National Register of War Memorials, is a new initiative designed to record the locations and photographs of every publicly accessible memorial across Australia.

Find out more
Visit the Australian War Memorial

Visit the Australian War Memorial

The Australian War Memorial is open for visitors as we work to expand our galleries. Entry is free and tickets are not required.

Find out more
Canberra Highlands in Grayscale

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF
TRADITIONAL CUSTODIANS

The Australian War Memorial acknowledges the traditional custodians of country throughout Australia. We recognise their continuing connection to land, sea and waters. We pay our respects to elders past and present.
Location map of The Australian War Memorial
The Australian War Memorial building

The Australian War Memorial

Fairbairn Avenue
Campbell ACT 2612
Australia
View on Google Maps (opens in new window)
Google Map data ©2025 Google
Australian War Memorial Logo
  • Go to AWM Facebook
  • Go to AWM Trip Advisor
  • Go to AWM Instagram
  • Go to AWM Youtube

Footer

  • About
  • Contact
  • Venue Hire
  • Media
  • WM Magazine
  • Donate Today
  • VG Portal

The Australian War Memorial

Fairbairn Avenue

Campbell ACT 2612

Australia

 

Opening Hours

10 am to 4 pm daily (except Christmas Day)

 

In preparation for the daily Last Post Ceremony,

galleries are progressively closed from 3:40 pm.

 

Public entrance via Fairbairn Avenue, Campbell ACT 2612

Sign up to our newsletter

Subscribe

Legal

  • Copyright
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • Freedom of information

Copyright 2025 Australian War Memorial, Canberra. All rights reserved