* Lieutenant John Henry Hancock

Ruins in the village of Dickebusch. 

Courtesy US Government 

Lieutenant John Henry Hancock killed in action 9th June 1917.    According to The Great War Memorial at The High School, he was a lieutenant in The Royal Engineers.

He was born at 15 Upper Beachwood Avenue, Ranelagh, Dublin but his home address in Dublin was 1 Bellevue Park, Cork.  When the awful news of his death arrived by telegram, it was sent to Carlisle Place, Monkstown, Cork.

His will mentions his father William Henry Hancock, his mother Jane, his brother (21 years) Herbert Frederick - himself in the Royal Navy -  and sisters Lilian (20) and Una (16) all living in Cork.

 He served with 129 Field Company RE which was with the 24th  Division. Their War Diary is digitalised:
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C7353291

The War Diary of the 129th Filed Company Royal Engineers, mentions John's death:

'9th June 1917:  Reninghelst Camp:  'Work on tracks continued.  Lt. Hancock killed by H.E. (High Explosive) shell whilst riding to advanced billets....'

'10th June 1917: Lieutenant Hancock's body buried in Dickebusch Cemetry.'

 Source: Michelle Burrowes

He landed in France with that unit on 30 April 1916, and was killed in Action near Ypres on 9 June 1917, aged 22. He is buried in Dickebusch New Military Cemetery.

His home address (parents) is given as Rawdon,Leeds,though he is shown in Ireland's Roll of Honour.

Our thanks to researcher 'Terry', who visited the archives at Kew in the UK, to research this soldier on our behalf. We are forever grateful!