Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Hancock Street Altona Hobson Bay City Council Historical Society
The Hancock family’s contribution to our community was recognised on 20 March 1963 when the northern section of Webb Street, between the Railway Street North and Civic Parade, was renamed Hancock Street. The following is their story and the part they played in the growth of Altona.

George Hancock was born 8 November 1889 in Longsight, Lancashire, England to George Hancock and Mary Jane Hancock nee Astley. George was the eldest of two sons born to the couple, but Mary may have had a son and daughter from a previous marriage[1]. By 1911 George had left home and was now employed as an apprentice wire drawer in Middlesbrough. Later that year he left England travelling to Antwerp before boarding the SMS Zieten bound for Australia to start work as machine operator for the newly formed Bell Wire Company.

On 3 July 1915 George enlisted into the AIF and was assigned to the 14th Battalion and embarked from Melbourne on board SS Makarini on 15 September 1915. On board the same ship and also assigned to the 14th Battalion was Albert Victor Hyde from Laverton and the two formed a long-lasting friendship.

George Hancock, Will Milne & Albert Hyde
George and Albert fought with the 14th Battalion in Gallipoli. By the time the 8th Reinforcements had reached Gallipoli the 14th was involved in the offensive attacks upon Hill 971 and Hill 60. The attack on Hill 60 was the last offensive action undertaken around Anzac by the Allies prior to the evacuation in December 1915.  Following their withdrawal and return to Egypt they were both re-assigned to the 46th Battalion and the Western Front, France.

In mid-1916 the decision was made to transfer elements of the AIF to Europe to take part in the fighting in the trenches along the Western Front. Following their arrival in France in July the 46th Battalion’s first major engagement came a month later in the August of 1916 when they were committed to the fighting around at Pozières. Over the course of next two and a half years the men of this battalion found themselves involved in numerous other battles. On 12 February 1917 George suffered a gunshot wound to his left thigh but it was not proven to be too serious as he returned to the 46th Battalion in April 1917 and continued to serve with the Battalion until peace was declared. This was within the same battle that Albert Hyde was seriously injured.

On 29 May 1917, whilst on leave in England, George Hancock married Mary Agnes Wood nee Hughes at St Barnabas Church, Openshaw, Lancaster. Mary was a war widow having married Samuel Evans Wood in August 1912. Samuel however died 30 October 1914 whilst serving with the King’s Royal Rifle Corps in France. It would appear that George knew Mary prior to the war and prior to him migrating to Australia before the war.

George, whilst serving with the 46th Battalion, was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal – ‘For marked gallantry, initiative, and resource throughout the operations east of Bellenglise, north of St. Quentin, 18-19 September 1918. He acted as company sergeant major of his company, and, during the attack on out-post trench of Hindenburg Line, he took charge of half the company and brilliantly led them to the final objective, capturing many prisoners and machine guns. He established a block in communication trench leading to “No Man’s Land” and did splendidly in organizing and consolidating the line. He set a very fine example throughout to those under him.’ (Source: ‘Commonwealth Gazette’ No. 20, Date: 19 February 1920) and the Military Medal – for ‘For leadership and initiative on morning 8 August 1918 during the attack East of Hamel E of Corbie. On approaching a valley strongly held by the enemy Sgt. Hancock, who was acting Company Sergeant Major of his Company notice that one platoon was tiring and suffering rather heavily from enemy machine gun fire. He led Company Headquarters section to support this platoon and attacked the valley with fine dash. He reorganized the platoon and Company Headquarters Section in the bottom of the valley and then assaulted and captured the opposite slope under machine gun fire. This NCO assisted materially in keeping the Company under control and proved his powers of leadership.  (Source: ‘Commonwealth Gazette’ No. 61, Date: 23 May 1919).

Sergeant George Hancock returned to Australia 20 June 1919 aboard Koing Freidrich in August and was discharged 6 October 1919. By this date his wife Mary and their first born, George William, who was born in England in March 1918. The family initially settled in Laverton living with Albert Hyde before George secured a job working on the trams so they moved to West Brunswick. The family then moved to Balwyn where they purchased a house as it was closer to where George was working.

It was not until 1927 that George and his family moved to Laverton and he took up employment at the Explosive Reserve working along side his old mate Albert Hyde. Initially the Hancock’s rented a house in Laverton before the family settled into a house in Curlew Avenue, Altona. They initially rented the house but ended up purchasing the property. It wasn’t long before the family had grown to six children – George William, Edna, Marjorie, Les, Ron and Kenneth. George worked at the explosive reserve until he turned 65 and retired. This would have been about 1954 or 1955 which was around the time that George’s wife Mary passed away. Two of George’s sons, George William and Les, also worked at the explosive reserve.

George Hancock was also an early member of the Altona RSL which was formed at the ABC Café in Pier Street around 1921. George was an active member of the Altona community as were members of the Hancock family including George jnr who was also an active member of the Altona RSL.

On 8 March 1976 George Hancock passed away at the age of 86 having lived in Altona and Curlew Avenue for nearly 50 years. An article in the Altona Star 17 March 1976, page 4, reported that more than 70 members of the district RSL branches attended George’s funeral that was presided over by the then State Vice-President of the RSL Bruce Ruxton. George is buried within the Williamstown cemetery alongside his wife Mary.

References HBSC ALHSC