Obituaries Australia

Brian Colden AntillPockley, 1914

Australian War Memorial, H19316

Dr. and Mrs. Pockley, the parents of the gallant young officer, are among the best known Sydney residents. They have received many messages of sympathy from all parts of Australia. Speaking at St. Andrew's Church of England, Wahroonga, yesterday, the rector, the Rev. Langford Smith, referred to the death of Dr. [Brian Colden Antill] Pockley. He said that his death was a loss to the whole community, as a life of bright promise and brilliant prospects had been cut short in youth. Captain Pockley had been one of the earliest pupils of St. Andrew's Sunday School, and for a number of years a worshipper at the church. His moral and upright character was largely the result of a good home influence, and by a noble example he had now passed the effect of that influence on to others. He had gone forth at the call of duty and in the cause of humanity, and had laid down his young life for his King and country. His death was a great and sad loss to his parents, and all who knew him shared in their sorrow; but with the loss there was also a great honour. Captain Pockley had been privileged to show that Australians were ready to die for the honour of the grand old motherland. "We have given of our best in a noble and righteous cause," said Mr. Langford Smith. "Such lives are a part of the price we have to pay in maintaining the traditions of all that is best of the British nation. Great Britain is engaged 1n this war in order to maintain peace and honour, and to protect those whom others had failed to protect in the hour of their need. As Australians we must be propared to pay the price, if we are to share in the call to so righteous a cause."