Private William Hancock
SE-27844 Army Veterinary Corps
William was born in about 1877 at Tunstall, Staffordshire. In 1911 he was living at Main Road, Pye Hill, Jacksdale with his wife of nine years, Rebecca (nee Cook) a dressmaker born in Codnor Park. William was a shopkeeper, grocer. Rebecca’s younger sister Mabel Cook, aged 16, was living with them. At this time William and Rebecca had been married for 9 years but there were no children of the marriage.
William’s Medal Rolls Index Card indicates he was a recipient of the British War and Victory Medals. He served with the Veterinary Corps which, at that time, were mainly responsible for horses, and pigeons. It was in late 1918 that it became the ‘Royal Veterinary Corps.’
In 1920 a death is recorded in the Basford Registration District for a William Hancock aged 43.