OUR SOLDIERS

The following are extracts from a letter written by Lance-Corporal James Hancock, son of Rev. Canon Hancock, of Moonee Ponds: Helmieh Camp, near Cairo,  Thursday, November 4th.

Dear --

We had a wonderful trip through Egypt when we came here, just a few weeks ago to-day. After we left the first strip of desert behind, we plunged into the most wonderful country imaginable. Near the railway line a big channel wound, and from this all the country that side was irrigated. There was also a smaller channel on the other side. As far as the eye could see there were waving maize, fields, set with palms and other most beautiful trees. I had a great view of the whole country. The cars on the train had platforms similar to our observation cars in Victoria, and on the step on one of these platforms I perched. Every here and there along the channel banks were small native villages, very picturesque, but also extremely smelly. It takes some times to get used to the Oriental smells. They are very powerful. The Egyptian trees are magnificent. We passed through most beautiful groves of trees. Our first day here was an off day. All we had to do was to sort ourselves and fix things up generally. So in the afternoon (Friday) a few of us set off together for Cairo.

Cairo is a rum sort of place, and it didn't take long for the novelty to wear off as far as I was concerned. There are a few decent streets with fine buildings, but the rest of the place is rather squalid with dirty narrow winding streets. Still there is much to interest one, especially the ancient monments and mosques. On Sunday afternoon many of us who had chummed up on the boat arranged a carriage party for a trip to all the notable places in and round Cairo. We had quite a string of small carriages, each containing four men, and drawn by small ponies. We visited the Nile and saw the spot where young Moses was drawn out of the rushes. We saw the wonderful old mosques where the Khedives lie buried. Their tombs are splendid pieces of work, the tomb of Enver Pasha, the 3rd Khedive of Egypt, being the finest piece of masonry in all Egypt, the land of famous old sculpture. I have not yet been to the pyramids. We will probably be going on Saturday or Sunday afternoon if I have enough cash. Train and tram fares are exceedingly cheap here. We can go to Cairo for half a piastre (l¾d). But everything else is pretty dear, especially decent meals. And when we do go to Cairo we always are careful to feed at a reputable and well-known place. You needn't worry about me at all, for I am in the very pink of condition, and am getting along first rate.

[No heading]. (1916, January 13). The Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter (Moonee Ponds, Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 5. Retrieved January 21, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page7216085

Word has been received by the Rev. Canon W. Hancock, of St, Thomas's Church, Moonee Ponds, that his son, Private James Hancock, is missing.  The young soldier is a solicitor by profession, having qualified just before he enlisted. He has a brother in the ranks.
The Argus, Thursday 21 September 1916
 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1598591 

ESSENDON CRICKETER KILLED

Mr Frank Allan writes: — 'Quite a   gloom has been cast over the Essendon cricketers, in hearing of the death of one of their late first eleven players, Private H. McVitty, who has been killed at the front. The Essendon players wore arm bands in Saturday's match against Collingwood, in mourning for the loss of a good chum, and a promising cricketer. He was a right hand leg break bowler, a dashing batsmen, and a first rate field. He is the first member of the club who has made the big sacrifice.

But private J. M. C. Handcock (sic) of the second eleven, is in the list of the missing, and his many friends in the club trust that the worst has not happened in his case, and that he may yet be restored to them. 

ESSENDON CRICKETER KILLED. (1916, November 29). Winner (Melbourne, Vic. : 1914 - 1917), p. 8. Retrieved September 13, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article154552972

Hancock, James McCrae

Enrolled 1909.

Trinity Grammar School and Scotch College; LL.B.; admitted to bar early 1915.

Enlisted 5 July 1915, Private 23rd Battalion; sailed 27 September 1915; was with the advance body of Australians across the Suez Canal; went to France and on 4 August 1916 was sent out on a task on the ridge beyond Pozieres, from which he never returned; he was reported missing and later reported killed in action.

Melbourne Law School.

Extracts from Australian Red Cross Wounded and Missing Enquiries Bureau Correspondence

AIF 232  HANCOCK  J 2158
M 4.8.16

It was when we went over for the second time on 4th Aug. in attacking Pozieres.  I did not see what happened to him but I saw him lying dead as we returned.

Reference Pte R H Trott 260
2 ADBD  
Etaples 20.11.16

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Informant states that "Hancock was killed in the attack at Pozieres on the 4th August just on the German trenches.  He was left where he fell".
Pte E A Alford 2103
2nd Southern General Hospital
B R I, Marlborough St, Bristol
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I saw him killed outright by a shell on Aug 4th. He was on fatigue and was carrying ammunition to the new trenches at Pozieres.  Called Jimmie.  Did not see him buried there was too much of a mixup to bury men.

Reference:  2121  F S Cooper
A Co, 23rd Batt AIF
Dartford
23.2.17

http://static.awm.gov.au/images/collection/pdf/RCDIG1045205--1-.pdf