Pte Rodney Charles Locke

by Rod Martin

Rodney Charles Locke, Harold’s nephew, joined the AIF in July 1915 – the same time as his uncle.  He was twenty years old.  For reasons unknown, his original attestation papers, that should have been filled out at the time of signing up, are not in his service record.  Instead, he was ‘re-sworn’ at Broadmeadows in early September – by no less a person than his own uncle!  He was then allotted to 4 Light Horse Regiment – his uncle’s unit.   The two men sailed for Egypt at the same time.  However, while Harold went straight on to Gallipoli, Rodney stayed in Egypt to train.  By the time he was ready for action, Gallipoli had been evacuated and he headed instead to France in March 1916, again in the company of his uncle.  Before leaving Egypt, both of them had opted to transfer to the cyclist unit.  Rodney stayed with the cyclists until heart problems caused him to be evacuated to a military hospital in England in September 1916.  He was diagnosed with myocarditis: inflammation of the heart muscle.  After some time spent in hospitals and convalescent homes, it was discovered that he also had heart enlargement (described as ‘serious’) and cardiac asthma, and that the myocarditis had damaged valves in his heart and was causing anginal pain.  The decision was made to repatriate him, and he embarked for Australia in February 1917.  He was discharged after arriving back and granted a pension, though this was terminated after 12 months. After the war, and by then married, Rodney took up what may have been a soldier settlement plot at Kerang in the north of the state.  By 1931 he had returned to the Essendon district, dying in 1957 at the age of sixty-two, two years after Harold.

It would be natural to believe that Harold decided (or promised his brother Charles) to take Rodney under his wing while he was in the army.  The documentary evidence available supports the  supposition that Harold  arranged to have Rodney allotted to 4 Light Horse once Harold took up his position at Broadmeadows.  Rodney’s occupation was listed as ‘station hand’.  He may have worked for his uncle at Violet Town and learned to ride there.   Once he arrived at the Western Front he was not required to ride horses.  His need then was to master bicycles.

Lieut. H. H. Locke, youngest son of the late Mr. Charles Locke, of "Mymiami," Buckley street, Essendon, who left on Thursday last, in charge of the 10th Reinforcements for the 4th Regiment of Light Horse, saw active service with the Scottish Horse, and was in three engagements in South Africa. On returning to Victoria, he joined the 13th Light Horse Regiment, and has been for some time stationed at Euroa. Private Rodney C. Locke (his nephew), the only son of Charles G. Locke of Braemar street, Essendon,   is also with the 10th Reinforcements of 4th Light Horse Brigade.        

WITH THE COLOURS. (1915, September 16). The Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter (Moonee Ponds, Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 5 Edition: Morning.. Retrieved January 15, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74590062

R. C. LOCKE enlisted on 17th July and embarked as Private in reinforcements for 4th Light Horse on 9th September 1915. He arrived at Lemnos on 14th November 1915 and transferred to 1st Cycle Corps in February 1916. He arrived in France on 29th March 1916 and took part in the Battles of Pozieres and Mouquet Farm in July and August 1916. On 22nd November 1916 being a Private in 1st Anzac Cycle Battalion he was invalided with shell shock and having returned to Australia on 9th April was discharged on 30th May 1917.

War Services Old Melburnians 1914-18, p 340.

The engagement is announced of Miss Laura E. S. King. eldest daughter of. Mr. and Mrs. Harry King, "Koetong." Essendon. to Private Rodney Charles Locke, 1st  Anzac Cycle Battalion, only son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Locke, "Lockhart", Essendon.

SOCIAL BREVITIES. (1917, May 24). The Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter (Moonee Ponds, Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 2 Edition: Morning. Retrieved May 12, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74602654