Education
He attended Street Agatha’s School, following which he worked for Chalcraft’s, a drapers in Russell Street, Portsmouth.
- Photos
- Works
- Photos
- Works
James Ockendon
Edit Profile
Career
He was one of nine children born to Alfred and Mary Ockendon at 56, Alfred Street, Landport. After working here for five years he joined the Royal Dublin Fusiliers in 1909 as a private. After completing his basic training at the Victoria Barracks in Southsea he served in India.
During World War I Ockendon saw action in Turkey during the Gallipoli Campaign where, on 24 April 1915, he landed with his battalion on ‘V’ beach and received a bullet wound to his forehead.
Following his recuperation he served in Egypt. They had four children.
The award of his Victoria Cross was published in The London Gazette on 5 November 1917 and he was presented with it by George V at Buckingham Palace on 5 December 1917. After the war he was employed in the dockyard as a crane driver and after he retired from there he worked as a school caretaker and then at No3 Training Battalion, Royal Army Ordnance Corps in Hilsea.
During World World War II Ockendon served in the Portsmouth Division of the Home Guard.
He died in his home at Southsea on 29 August 1966 and his funeral took place at Portchester on September 1. His ashes were scattered in the Garden of Remembrance. In 1962 Ockendon Close was named in his honour.
Achievements
-
Soon after his marriage he joined the First Battalion at the Western Front in France where he was awarded the Military Medal for bravery on 28 September 1917 during the opening stages of the Third Battle of Ypres. In April 1918 he was awarded the Belgian Croix de Guerre, and in the same month he was honourably discharged from the army on medical grounds. Ockendon"s medals are: Victoria Cross, Military Medal, 1914 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal with MiD Oakleaf, Defence Medal (1939-1945), King George VI Coronation Medal (1937), Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal (1953), Croix de Guerre (Belgium).
-
Born
-
Died
August 29, 1966 (aged 75) -
Nationality
United Kingdom
Awards
-
Victoria Cross; Military Medal Victoria Cross; Military Medal; Croix de Guerre; King George VI Coronation Medal; War Medal; Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal
Medals Ockendon's medals are: Victoria Cross, Military Medal, 1914 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal with MiD Oakleaf, Defence Medal (1939-45), King George VI Coronation Medal (1937), Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal (1953), Croix de Guerre (Belgium). The medals are held by his family.Medals Ockendon's medals are: Victoria Cross, Military Medal, 1914 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal with MiD Oakleaf, Defence Medal (1939-45), King George VI Coronation Medal (1937), Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal (1953), Croix de Guerre (Belgium). The medals are held by his family.