Lieutenant Commander Stoker was a Royal Navy submariner on loan to the Royal Australian Navy during the First World War. He was captain of the Australian submarine AE2, which served in the Dardanelles. There, AE2 was the first Allied submarine to breach the minefield and enter the Sea of Marmara. Between 25 and 30 April 1915, AE2 attacked several Turkish vessels, but after being hit, was forced to surrender. AE2 was scuttled and the crew became prisoners of war. For his service, Stoker was awarded a Distinguished Service Order and a Mention in Despatches.
In 2011, Stoker was listed in the Terms of Reference for the Inquiry into unresolved recognition for past acts of naval and military gallantry and valour. The following link is to Chapter 19 of the Report of the Inquiry which focusses on Stoker.
The Tribunal received 13 written submissions that included reference to Stoker.