War service: Egypt, Western Front

Allotted to, and proceeded to 55th Bn from 5th Training Bn, Zeitoun, 16 February 1916; taken on strength of 55th Bn, Tel el Kebir, 16 February 1916.

Admitted to No 14 Field Ambulance, Tel el Kebir, then transferred to No 2 Australian Stationary Hospital, Tel el Kebir, 14 March 1916 (mumps); discharged to duty, 29 March 1916; rejoined unit, 12 April 1916.

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 19 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 29 June 1916.

Promoted Corporal, 10 July 1916.

Killed in action, 20 July 1916.

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal

Statement, Red Cross File No 1251007, Lt Col D.M. McCONAGHY, 55th Bn (patient, 3rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth, England), 5 February 1917: 'Hancock was killed in the German trenches at Fromelles which were afterwards recaptured by the enemy. His body was not recovered.'

Second statement, 4745 Pte J.W. BELL, Machine Gun Section, 55th Bn (patient, Edmonton Hospital, London, England), 7 February 1917: 'At Fleurbaix, S. of Armentieres on July 20/16 Hancock was killed and buried at Sailly in the cemetery.'

Third statement, 4861 Corporal H. NIXEY, B Company, 55th Bn, 2 March 1917: 'I saw him killed on the morning of July 20th at Fromelles by a shell. We had to retire leaving dead and wounded behind. I saw the Germans burying him, as we had four hours' armistice to bury the dead. The wounded the Germans took.'

Fourth statement, 2938 Pte R.W. CARRUTHERS, B Company, 55th Bn (patient, 4th Northern General Hospital, Lincoln, England), 8 March 1917: 'Cpl. Hancock was shot through the head and killed instantaneously close by me side (sic) during a counter attack at Armentiers on July 20th, 1916. He was not buried, his body was left in a German communication trench.' Eye Witness: Yes.