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Enoch HANCOX Driver 32929
Researched and written by Janice HUNT
(*1) Enoch HANCOX
Enoch HANCOX was born in Chasetown in June 1895 he
was the youngest son of James and Lucy HANCOX who had sixteen children. Lucie
born in 1872 followed by Martha, Thomas, Clara, Samuel, William, Rachel, Annie,
James, Dora, Lucy, Albert, Amy, Enoch and Ethel. They had another son also
called Enoch who was born in 1875 but died aged 4 months.
Enoch’s mother died in 1903 when he was 8 years old.
He continued to live with his father and brothers and sisters and attended
Chasetown Primary School in Church Street.
Enoch’s father James, was a miner who was born in
Sedgley in 1852 and came to Chasetown in 1872 to work in the mines. James was known
locally as “the Professor” he was a Liberal councillor who was a skilled orator
and musician and was still working in the mines when he died in 1925 age 73.
In 1901, Enoch was living with his parents James and
Lucy, (who were both born in Sedgley) and nine of his brothers and sisters in
New Street, Chasetown. His father was a coal hewer, as was his older brothers
Samuel and James.
(*2)
Extract from 1901 census
James used to wear a frock coat and top hat and he
delighted to heckle speakers at election time and proved himself invincible in
debate. Probably the most recounted is where he clashed with George Bernard
Shaw at a meeting in Walsall, and rendered the great man speechless.
(*3)
Book extract
Enoch followed his father and brothers into the
pits, he worked on The Fly.
(*4) No. 2 pit - The Fly (*5) No. 2 pit - The Fly
In his spare time, Enoch enjoyed participating in gymnastics and used to do displays with
Chasetown gymnastic club, which was based at Chasetown Institute High Street.
(*6)
Enoch is on the back row, far left
Enoch
left No. 2 pit and enlisted at Walsall, first in the South Staffordshire Regiment then he was transferred to the Royal Horse Artillery and the Royal Field
Artillery. He served with the 72nd Brigade, Ammunition Column as a driver.
Enoch was killed in action in Flanders on the 30th June 1918. His service records have not been found. There are
no records of his death, but a family member believes his vehicle received a
direct hit. Enoch is buried at the Cabaret- Rouge British Cemetery,
Souchez.
(*7)
Cabaret- Rouge British Cemetery plan (*8) Cabaret- Rouge British Cemetery (*9) Memorial to Enoch HANCOX
(*10)Original burial marker (*11)
Enoch's headstone
A memorial service was
held on Sunday August 11th 1918 for Enoch and Pte J ROCHELLE who had
died in India. The service was held at the Primitive Methodist church where
Miss TINSLEY played the organ. There was a parade in
the streets headed by the Cannock Chase Colliery band.
(*12)
Mercury extract (*13)
Enoch HANCOX
On
Enoch’s Medal Index Card, he is recorded as dying on the 30 June 1918. He was
awarded the Victory Medal and the British War Medal
(*15) Victory Medal (*14) Enoch’s Medal Index Card (*16) British War Medal
Enoch's death is remembered on the Chasetown War Memorial, and the War Memorial in Saint Anne's Church Chasetown
Item, Source and Credit
(*1) Photograph of Enoch HANCOX © Jim HANCOX
(*3) Book extract © Unknown
(*4) Photograph No. 2 pit - The Fly © Jim HANCOX
(*5) Photograph No. 2 pit - The Fly © Jim HANCOX
(*6) Photograph Chasetown Gymnastic Club © Jim HANCOX
(*7) Plan Cabaret- Rouge British Cemetery © (CWGC)
(*8) Photograph Cabaret- Rouge British Cemetery © (CWGC)
(*9) Memorial to Enoch HANCOX © (CWGC)
(*10) Enoch's original grave marker © Unknown
(*11) Enoch's headstone © Unknown
(*12) Extract - Mercury Newspaper © The Mercury
(*13) Photograph Enoch HANCOX © Unknown
(*15) Photograph Victory Medal © Alan Betts (BFHG)
(*16) Photograph British War Medal © Alan Betts (BFHG)
(*17) Photograph Chasetown War Memorial © Alan Betts (BFHG)
(*18) Photograph Saint Anne's Church War Memorial © Alan Betts (BFHG)
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