He was born at Ystradfellte. The son of Laban and Mary, he married Nellie Greenow 29 Sept 1915. They had five children.
He enlisted at Swansea as Private 2163 in the 6th Battalion the Welsh Regiment on 10 Aug 1914, within a week of the start of the First World War. He is recorded as 5 foot 7 inches tall with light brown hair and blue eyes. At that time he was working as a collier. After service in France with the British Expeditionary Force, he was discharged on medical grounds on 6 Jul 1915. He had a series of medical examinations, eventually confirming a degree of permanent disability entitling him to a pension. Further surgery followed in 1931.
He worked at Glynneath Golf Club as a groundsman. As well as working there, he was a stalwart playing member of the Club, which is located in Pont-Neath-Vaughan. He was a regular team member in competitive matches and club competitions. He won several trophies and also donated one to the club, the Diplock Cup. In 1968, he retired as groundsman after 37 years service to the club.
| Unit or location | Role | Posted from | until |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pontneddfechan Patrôl | Patrol Leader | Unknown | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Pont Neath Vaughan Patrol | Patrol Leader | Unknown | 03 Dec 1944 |
Groundsman on golf course
Both Diplock and Hamer are recorded with the rank of Sergeant in the 1942 nominal roll. This may have been an error as at stand down Diplock is recorded as Sergeant and Hamer as Corporal.
Some documents record the family name as Duplock.
The National Archives in Kew ref WO199/3389.
Hancock data held at B.R.A
1939 Register
Abardare Leader 3 Oct 1931
Porthcawl Guardian 4 May 1956
Neath Guardian 7 March 1968