Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Last Contact

On 25 July 1915 when encamped at Heliopolis, Egypt, Private Charles Hancock who was known as Tam, sent a postcard addressed to his brother Robert Jefferson Hancock care of the Australian Bank of Commerce, Helidon, Queensland. The postcard is now in possesssion of his great nephew, Brian Patrick Hancock. It was Tam’s last contact with his family as he was killed in action at Lone Pine, Gallipoli in August 1915. It was a simple handwritten message addressed, ‘Dear Jeff’ and signed, ‘Love from Tam’. He wrote, ‘Camped just outside above town and about one half hours’ run from Cairo. Paid that town a visit yesterday, also Pyramids. Everything here is crowded with interest. Expect to be in the firing line within a fortnight.’

Lone Pine, August 1915

The 6th Reinforcements joined their unit, 2nd Battalion AIF at Gallipoli on 6 August, 1915. That day the battle of Lone Pine commenced and continued until 10 August. Tam was killed in this action during 7-14 August. None of his personal effects were recovered. He was not accorded an individual grave. Evidence supports the conclusion he is buried in a common grave at Lone Pine. An individual marker at that site records his name, unit and parents names.

News at Home

A clipping of a newspaper published in Australia was attached to his employment record. It reads as follows.

Private C. E. Hancock - Mr & Mrs Hancock of the Australian Bank of Commerce, Woodburn, have received news that their third son, Charles Evan Hancock has been killed in action at the Dardanelles. The deceased was born in Belligen and was 23 years of age and single. He received his education at the public school, West Kempsey. At the time of enlisting, he was in the employ of the Commercial Banking Co. of Sydney and was stationed at Condobolin. He was an excellent shot with a fowling piece and a good rifle shot and an enthusiastic athlete, having been well known in cricket, football and swimming circles. He sailed with the 2nd Battalion on June 16 last. The deceased younger brother is at present in training in Liverpool Camp.

 Memorial

Tam’s workmates at Condobolin arranged for a memorial tablet of marble and wood to be erected in the bank in which he had been working when he had enlisted in 1915. Decorated with a personal photo above crossed rifles and surrounded by wreaths it reads, ‘This tablet was placed here in memory of Private Charles Evan Hancock who was killed in action at Suvla Bay 7 August 1915.’

On the morning of 23 May 2003, a nephew  David Hancock and great nephew Brian Hancock and others attended a brief ceremony in Condobolin as arranged by the National Australia Bank to mark the transfer of the Memorial tablet from the bank premises to the foyer of the Condobolin Services Club.