Son of Mr. and Mrs. William Thomas Stockham, of Claude St., St. Helier's Bay, Auckland

The second son in a family of five children, his parents were William Stockham and Mary Stockham (nee Gilbert). In 1906 the family moved from Australia to Hawkes Bay, New Zealand.

A hard working, popular student with a great sense of humour, he proved to be a talented all-round sportsman. He attended Hastings Boys High School and in 1913 became Dux, receiving a gold medallion.

Enlisting in the army in August 1916, he was promoted to Lance Corporal in the November. Arriving in England he had further training at Codford Camp near Salisbury in February. The arrival of spring and milder weather meant they were able to march to Sling Camp, some 20 miles away. After three months in England the Hawkes Bay Company boarded the SS Archangel for Le Havre,France.

Here they travelled by train for Bailleul. By now it was early June and the weather was fine and sunny. By June 11th the company was in billets and only two and half miles from Armentieres. On 14th June they engaged in their first action of trench warfare. June, July and August 1917 were divided between living in trenches or billets.

On September 2 the company marched from Wizernes to Henneveax, a distance of nine miles. In spite of Hanneveax being not very far from the front line they enjoyed their stay , the men billeted in farm houses, the officers in the Chateau. On 1 October the Company reached the eastern slopes of Gravenstafel Spur just north of the Ypres/Roulers railway line. By the third day of the month they were

positioned near Waterloo Farm. The plan for attack had already been given and the battalion made ready for an assault on Abraham Heights. Zero hour was at 600 on October 4th. Thomas William Stockham died that day. He has no known grave. AWMM