Trafford

Born during the June quarter 1887 in the Hayfield R.D. - ref: 7b/827, the
son of William James & Elizabeth Hancock (nee Roker).    Baptised on the
26th May 1887 at St. Martin's P.C., Marple.

1891 Census - Marple Bridge, Ludworth & Chisworth, Derbyshire.    Son -
aged: 4 - born: Ludworth, Derbyshire.   Head of household - William James
Hancock - Married - aged: 32 - occ: Sacristan & Rural Postman - born: St.
Leonards-on-Sea, Sussex.   Also - Elizabeth Hancock - Wife - aged: 33 -
born: Send, Surrey.  Plus 3 siblings, 1 lodger and 1 domestic Servant.     
[Sacristan = Sexton of Parish Church].

1901 Census - Lower Fold, Ludworth, Derbyshire.   Son (listed as Harry
George Hancock) - aged: 13 - occ: Telegraph Messenger - born: Ludworth.  
Head of household - William James Hancock - Married - aged: 42 - occ: Rural
Postman and Sacristan - born: Sussex.    Plus 3 siblings, 1 lodger and 1
domestic Servant.Head of household - William James Hancock - Married -
aged: 32 - occ: Postman - born: Sussex.    Plus 3 younger siblings.    
[Sacristan = Sexton of Parish Church].

Married Martha Gratrix during the September quarter 1909 in the Bucklow
R.D. - ref: 8a/449.

1911 Census - 20 St. Anne's Street, Sale.   Boarder - Married - aged: 25 -
occ: Butcher's Assistant - born: Marple Bridge, Derbyshire.   Plus Boarder-
Martha Hancock - Wife - aged: 30 - born: Sale.   Boarding with James &
Sarah Gratrix (his in-laws).   [Employed by John Arthur Giles, 148
Northenden Road, Sale].

Before joining the staff of Westinghouse Ltd., he was employed for eight
years by Mr. Giles, Butcher & Grocer, Sale.

Enlisted in June 1916 and drafted to the front in January 1917.

Death reported in the 28/06/1918 edition of the Altrincham Guardian.

Formerly 29713 South Lancs Rgt.    SDGW states his number as being 59729

In a letter home to his mother, Major Vivien Gilbert states. "As a result
of your son's care for others, at 1.00 pm on Saturday 4th May 1918, he
picked up a live shell nose that was lying in the path.     His intention
was to place it in some bushes out of danger so that no-one would kick or
trip over it in the dark.    Unfortunately, it slipped out of his hand, hit
a rock and exploded, fatally wounding both himself and another signaler
with him.    I was with him when he died in the field ambulance that was
taking him to hospital".

Commemorated on the family gravestone in Sale Cemetery.