Service No: 21162 – 11th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment
Private Arthur Hancox, 11th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment was born in Castle Bromwich in 1893, and was the eleventh of the twelve children, six sons, six daughters, of parents, William Hancox and Ann Ray. The family lived in a cottage on Hodge Hill Common, Castle Bromwich for at least 30 years between 1881-1911. The couple married at SS Peter & Paul, Aston in 1871, when they both lived at Castle Bromwich.
By 1911, 17-year-old Arthur was listed as a farm labourer and was living in the family home with his parents and one of his brothers, James, a 26-year-old farm labourer. James (1884-1930) is also known to have served in the Army, being wounded in September 1918 whilst serving as a gunner with the Royal Garrison Artillery. Arthur’s war record shows that he entered France on 19th July 1915 landing at Boulogne from whence the Division became involved in the action on the Western Front. In November 1915 they moved to Salonika where in 1916 the Division was involved in the Battle of Horseshoe Hill and in 1917 The Battles for Dorian. A third battle continued into 1918, the Pursuit to Strumica Valley.
Ironically, Arthur was to survive these skirmishes, but died in a Salonika hospital from typhoid. He is buried at Doiran Military Cemetery. He is also commemorated on Castle Bromwich war memorial.
[custom-related-posts title=”Related Posts” none_text=”None found” order_by=”title” order=”ASC”]
