hˈɑːkɪŋ wʌz bˈɔːɹn æt sənt stˈiːvənɪnbɹˈænəl, kˈɔːɹnwɔːl, tə dʒˈeɪmz hˈɑːkɪŋ, pˈɑːɹt ˈoʊnɚɹ əvə tˈɪn mˈaɪn, ænd hɪz wˈaɪf ᵻlˈɪzəbəθ, nˈeɪ kˈɪɾoʊ.
Hocking was born at St Stephen-in-Brannel, Cornwall, to James Hocking, part owner of a tin mine, and his wife Elizabeth, née Kitto.