A huge crowd at Nambour’s ANZAC Day ceremony heard the story of a fledgling pilot from Nambour whose brave actions saved an English town in WWII. 

Nicklin MP Rob Skelton told the crowd of the heroic act of RAAF pilot James (Jim) Hocking.

“I would like to recognise the 80th anniversary of the heroic actions of the RAAF pilot James Jim Hocking,” Mr Skelton said. 

“Like many of his generation and those before and after Jim enlisted in the military the day he turned 18 and was accepted into the RAAF in September, 1942. 

“He was later transferred to England to train for bomber command. On July 18th, 1944, Jim was captaining a Short Sterling bomber LJ 451 during night training when flames appeared on the inner starboard engine. 

Soon the plane lost power

“Soon the plane lost power with engine two cutting out and the other two engines following soon after. Jim ordered his crew of six to don their parachutes and abandon the aircraft. 

“Jim stayed behind telling his crew mates he would be following them. He wanted to ensure the plane didn’t crash into the town below. 

“Jim was last seen manoeuvring the bomber away from the town of March before it crashed into a field, a kilometre from the town. A young man barely 21 years old. Jim Hocking represents what we call the ANZAC spirit, a hero who sacrificed himself for his mates and the English town of March, below. 

“In 2015, Jim was recognised for his bravery posthumously with the Star of Courage some 71 years later. 

“He is one of us. I would like to thank the schools of our region and Nambour Museum for preserving and remembering his story. Jim’s story is a thread in the vast tapestry that is our nation’s story. 

“The story about our ANZAC spirit. It reminds us of what it means to be an Australian or New Zealander. I thank everyone here today for their contributions to this history and respectful commemoration. Jim was one of us and he is all of us. We remember him. We remember all of them in our hearts forevermore. Lest we forget.”