William Lisle Rockley
He attended Grosvenor school, Waterloo Crescent, Nottingham. He was educated at Waverley School, Nottingham; Laleham, Margate; and in Paris, completing his education at the end of July 1914 (obituary). Joined University College Nottingham OTC.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
William Lisle Rockley was the only son of Lisle and Margaret Lizzie Rockley (née Matheson).
His father Lisle was born in 1860 at Radcliffe on Trent, Nottinghamshire, and his mother Margaret Lizzie Matheson was born in Edinburgh, Scotland in January 1870.
They were married in 1890 at Hampstead, London, and had two children: William Lisle, who was born in America in 1896, and Janet Letitia who was born in Nottingham in April 1897. Both children were baptised at Nottingham All Saints on 28 June 1897.
Lisle Rockley (34) is recorded on an incoming passenger list on the SS Sardinian, Montreal to Liverpool, disembarking Liverpool 31 May 1896; Lisle's original port of departure had been New York. Margaret Rockley (26), with an 'infant', departed New York, but sailed on SS Labrador, Montreal to Liverpool, arriving Liverpool on 31 July 1896.
Lisle and Margaret were living at 13 All Saints when their children were baptised in 1897 and were still at the same address in 1901: Lisle was a manager (billposter company), later to become the company director, Margaret, William and Janet. Lisle employed a housekeeper and general domestic.
In 1911 the family was living on Cyprus Road, Nottingham; also in the household were a cook, housemaid and mother's help. William (14) was now at boarding school in Margate.
Lisle and Margaret had probably moved to 44 Richmond Drive, Mapperley Park, by the time of their son's death in October 1917. This was still the family home when Lisle died on 5 August 1932 and his widow was at the same address when the 1939 England & Wales Register was compiled. Margaret was living at The Old Manor, Salisbury, at the time of her death on 20 April 1951.
Her daughter, Janet, had married Reginald Lawrence Jones (b. 1887) in 1921. They had two children, Audrey E. b. 1923 and Robert LR b. 1925. In 1939 Reginald, company director (RL Jones Birneta Fruit Juices Mansfield), his wife and daughter were living on High Oakham Road, Mansfield. Their son Robert was a pupil at Oundle School, Northamptonshire.
Reginald died in June 1978; the probate record gave his address as Lightcliffe, Halifax. His widow Janet died in September 1990 (resident The Retreat, York).
Second Lieutenant William Lisle Rockley received his commission in the York and Lancaster Regiment in December 1914 and served with the 10th Battalion.
He served in Gallipoli where he was wounded and received medical treatment in Malta. William was awarded the Military Cross in January 1916 for 'conspicuous gallantry and ability in the Gallipoli Peninsula'.
Following the evacuation of Gallipoli in 1915 he transferred to the Western Front. He was killed by a shell on 11 October 1917 when proceeding to the lines with his CO and the medical officer. At the time of his death William was the Battalion's acting adjutant.
William has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium (Panel 125 to 128).
He qualified for the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
WMA 27271. William's father laid out Rockley Memorial Park in Radcliffe on Trent, Nottinghamshire, in memory of his son and the men from Radcliffe on Trent who had died in the war. Ref. 'Radcliffe on Trent 1837 to 1920: A study of a village during an era of change' ed. P. Priestland. Ashbracken, Radcliffe on Trent, Nottm (1989) ISBN 1 87235600 1
CWGC Additional information: Son of Lisle Rockley and Margaret L. Rockley, of 44, Richmond Drive, Mapperley Park, Nottingham.
The citation for the award of the Military Cross was published in the London Gazette on 22 January 1916: 'For conspicuous gallantry and ability in the Gallipoli Peninsula. “He made two valuable reconnaissances of the enemy’s positions and working parties, and sited a work under heavy fire. The latter operation was one of great risk and difficulty, and Lieut. Rockley showed great coolness and determination.'
Nottingham Evening Post, 24 January 1916: 'The Military Cross. Lieut. W.L. Rockley's Distinction. Nottingham is specially interested in the announcement that the Military Cross has been awarded to Temporary Second-Lieut W. L. Rockley, of the 11th Battalion York and Lancasters. Lieut. Rockley is the only son Mr. and Mrs. L. Rockley, Cyprus-road. He was educated at Margate and in Paris, and completed his education in the latter city on July 30th, 1914. Immediately after his arrival home, Lieut. Rockley, who is only 19 years of age, joined the Nottingham University Officers' Training Corps, since no other vocation in life appealed to him at so critical a juncture in his country's history. He was given a commission the 11th Battalion of York and Lancasters the following October. He obtained his certificate as a proficient officer at Norwich, and after training with his regiment at various camps in this country was sent to Suvla Bay in September last. In the course of the operations he was wounded, and as a result has been in hospital at Malta. Lieut. Rockley is believed to be the first representative of the billposting industry to receive the Military Cross, and his father, who is the managing director Rockley's, Limited, has already been warmly congratulated by the United Billposters' Association, which he has twice been chairman, upon his son's distinction.'
Obituary: 'Lieut WL Rockley MC: Mr and Mrs L Rockley, Cyprus-road, Nottingham, have received information that their only son, Lieut William Lisle Rockley, was killed in action on October 11th. (sic) He was educated at Waverley School, Nottingham; Laleham, Margate; and in Paris, completing his education at the end of July 1914. He immediately joined the Nottingham University Officers’ Training Corps and gained a commission in the York and Lancaster Regiment in December. He proceeded to Gallipoli in the summer of 1915 and in addition to being wounded served with such distinction that in November he was awarded the Military Cross for conspicuous gallantry and ability. He made two valuable reconnaissances of the enemy’s positions and working parties, and sited a work under heavy fire. The latter operation was one of great risk and difficulty, and Lieut Rockley showed great coolness and determination. The gallant young officer remained on the peninsula until the evacuation, in which he took an active part. In February of this year he was sent to France and shortly afterwards he was appointed ‘Intelligence Officer’ for his battalion. At the time of his death he was acting adjutant. Lieut Rockley was killed instantaneously by a shell when proceeding to the lines in the company of his CO and the medical officer, the latter being dangerously wounded at the same time. Deceased was in his 21st year.'
Probate 16 April 1918: William Lisle Rockley of Cyprus Road, Nottingham, Lieutenant in HM Army died 10th October 1917 in France. Administration of his Will was awarded to his father, Lisle Rockley, advertising contractor. Effects £213 17 shillings and 4 pence.
Additional research, record updated. (RF, Nov. 2026)
Photo of William Lisle Rockley
Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium (www.cwgc.org)