Pte
Albert John Hancock
Information about birth
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Year of birth: 1882 |
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Place of birth: Donald, Victoria, Australia |
General information
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Profession: Farmer |
Army information
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Country: Australia |
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Force: Australian Imperial Force |
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Rank: Private |
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Service number: 4506 |
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Enlistment date: 03/08/1915 |
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Enlistment place: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
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Units: — Australian Infantry, 57th Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 14/10/1917 |
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Place of death: Westhoek, Zonnebeke, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 35 |
Memorial
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Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial Panel: 29 M |
Distinctions and medals 2
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British War Medal Medal |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 3
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Enlistment place | ||
| #3 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
Private Albert John Hancock worked as farmer labourer before enlisting on 3 August 1915 in
Melbourne at the age of 33. He served in the 57th Battalion A.I.F., part of the 15th Australian Brigade, 5th Australian Division. On 13 October 1917 the Battalion moved to Westhoek Ridge, and from there moved forward to take over from the 31th Battalion in the support lines. The companies worked on improving the trenches and positions. The next day they also completed duckboard walks and carried screws and wire to the front line. Due to heavy shelling on the support ridge the battalion suffered a few casualties. Private Albert John Hancock must have been one of these victims. He was an adopted brother to lc Arthur James Bishop Hancock of the 57th Battalion A.I.F. who was killed the day before. As his remains were never found, he is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial, 29 M.
Melbourne at the age of 33. He served in the 57th Battalion A.I.F., part of the 15th Australian Brigade, 5th Australian Division. On 13 October 1917 the Battalion moved to Westhoek Ridge, and from there moved forward to take over from the 31th Battalion in the support lines. The companies worked on improving the trenches and positions. The next day they also completed duckboard walks and carried screws and wire to the front line. Due to heavy shelling on the support ridge the battalion suffered a few casualties. Private Albert John Hancock must have been one of these victims. He was an adopted brother to lc Arthur James Bishop Hancock of the 57th Battalion A.I.F. who was killed the day before. As his remains were never found, he is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial, 29 M.
Connection to other soldiers 1
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Arthur James Bishop Hancock
Adopted Brother (Cousin) |
Sources 7
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AIF Project https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=125064 Sources used |
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AWM https://www.awm.gov.au/advanced-search/people?people_preferred_name=hancock+albert+john&people_service_number=4506&people_unit= Sources used |
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CWGC https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/923977/ALBERT%20JOHN%20HANCOCK/ Sources used |
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Photograph https://trove.nla.gov.au/search/category/images?keyword=Hancock%204506 Sources used |
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Service Record https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=4256677 Sources used |
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The Long long Trail http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/order-of-battle-of-divisions/5th-australian-division/ Sources used |
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War Diary https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1346065 Sources used |