A WW1 veteran he was Sergeant 1836 in Sussex Yeomanry then 320148 Royal Sussex Yeomanry Commissioned into 3rd Cavalry Regiment. He served in Gallipoli, the Western Desert and fought up through Gaza to Jerusalem.
He was awarded the B.E.M in 1944. His son John was part of the Patrol at some stage.
He died as the result of a shooting accident 6 Jan 1956.
| Unit or location | Role | Posted from | until |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bishopstone Patrol | Patrol Leader | 09 Aug 1940 | 03 Dec 1944 |
Farmer
He is remembered as a generous man who would provide food and bottles of beer for the men after training. He had a particular fascination with Mills bombs and always carried several around with him strapped to his waist. He also concealed many behind a false ceiling in his outside toilet.
A fearless horse rider he was one of the best horsemen in the South of England and had a great knowledge of farming and nature. At some stage he had been blinded in his right eye and always shot from his left shoulder.
His obituary in the Sussex Agricultural Gazette 13 Jan 1956 records; "In the last war he was a Patrol Leader in a special section of the Home Guard at Bishopstone and was an enthusiastic member of the force for this duration".
TNA ref WO199/3391
1939 Register
Hancock data held at B.R.A
Secret Resistance of Sussex by Stewart Angell.
Sussex Agricultural Express 13 Jan 1956