Victory Medal : Private R E Rockliff, 11 Battalion AIF

Victory Medal. Impressed around edge with recipient's details.

2015 Private Robert Edward Rockliff was one of four sons of Eliza Mary Tulloch to serve during the First World War. Rockliff was born at Junee Junction, NSW in 1888. His father, John Bullen Rockliff died in 1897in Perth, WA. His mother then married Eubulus Robert Tulloch in 1898. Rockliff was working as a compositor when he enlisted in the AIF on 18 January 1915. He embarked with the 5th reinforcements of 11 Battalion, on 29 April 1915, aboard HMAT Hororata. On 16 June he joined C Company in 11 Battalion on Gallipoli. Two of Rockliff's brothers, William and Harold were already serving with 11 Battalion on Gallipoli, both had been wounded and Harold had fallen ill, just a day after returning to Gallipoli and was evacuated again, so Robert never served with him. He did, however, serve with his older brother William, who had returned to the Gallipoli on 13 July. Robert Rockliff was promoted to sergeant, but reverted to the rank of private at his own request on 17 June 1915. He was wounded in the left thigh and buttock on 20 July and was admitted to the 1st Casualty Clearing Station before being transferred to a hospital ship that day. He arrived at Malta on 18 July on the Hospital Ship Sicilia. Rockliff died as a result of his wounds on 4 August 1915 at Bottonera Military Hospital in Malta, and was buried that day at the Pieta Military Cemetery. Sadly, due to the difficulties and length of time for information to reach Australia, the day after he died Mrs Tulloch was sent a telegram from Defence Base Records telling her that Robert had been slightly wounded and evacuated to Malta. It would have been a some time later before she found out he had already died of his wounds.