Born in Thornton Heath, Surry to Alfred and Mariam (nee Pratt) Hancock the family lived in Ilmington, Manor Road, St Albans, Hertfordshire. He married Gladys Dyke in 1925 and the couple made their home at Packwood Hall, Packwood Lane, Hockley Heath, Warwickshire. He was a well known and senior judge for the Jockey Club.
He died in Dorset and is buried at St George, Langham Chapel, Gillingham.
| Unit or location | Role | Posted from | until |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coleshill House, GHQ | DAQMG | 23 Nov 1943 | 03 Dec 1944 |
Wellingborough Grammar School. In cricket XI, Officer Training Corps and rifle team.
Jockey Club Judge
Autumn 1914 - 1915 Employed as teacher for two terms at Kings College, Gloucester. Applied for commission on recommendations from OTC and Head of College. Commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant into 4th Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment.
17 April 1915 Landed Gallipoli as Platoon Commander Number 2 Platoon ‘A’ Company.
15 August 1915 Advance towards ‘Kidney Hill’.
16 August 1915 Per Alban Goderic Arthur Hodges: "After a night (of the 15/16 August 1915) in the open amongst the rocks, the battalion moved forward at first light to Kidney Hill, and although under continuous fire, could not locate the enemy positions. "A" Company were in the lead when the Lance Corporal of Number 2 platoon was seriously wounded in the back. The platoon commander, Lieutenant M.E. Hancock, dressed his wound and called for stretcher bearers. When they came, one, the 15 year old Private Rideout, was shot through both legs by a single bullet. The remaining bearers removed the Lance Corporal and Hancock carried Rideout to the rear on his back, in full view of the Turkish front line troops. This was observed by Captain Rendered and Hancock was subsequently awarded the Military Cross for his bravery."
Operations moved to Hill 60. Appointed as Battalion Bombing Officer. Wounded, evacuated to Alexandria.
31 October 1915 Arrived back in the UK for further treatment and operations in hospital.
2 June 1916 Mentioned-In-Despatches.
13 July 1916 Presented with Military Cross by King George V at Buckingham Palace. Promoted Acting Captain.
1 May 1917 Recovered posted to 2/4th Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment.
1917 Volunteered for service with the West African Regiment. Sierra Leone, West Africa.
1917 - 1918 Returned to the UK.
Nov 1918 Demobilised.
Read Captain Hancock’s own account of his WW1 Service "While Memory lasts"
1919 - 1939 Established career as Horse Racing Judge.
30 June 1940 Commissioned Lieutenant in Coldstream Guards Number 136997
2 May 1941 Acting Captain in the ‘Coats Mission’ Royal protection and protecting Winston Churchill and VIP guests at Chequers; See transcript of Interview tape here
22 Jun 1942 Holding Battalion. Coldstream Guards.
24 Aug 1943 General Staff Officer 3rd Class (GS03) General Head Quarters, Home Forces.
23 Nov 1943 Acting Major, DAQMG - GHQ Auxiliary Units.
23 Feb 1944 Temporary Major.
June 1944 Patrols sent from Scotland and the North to join Patrols on the Isle of Wight all under the Command of Major Hancock MC.
19 Apr 1945 Acting Lieutenant Colonel Appointed as Assistant Director Army Welfare Services Headquarters Berlin District.
19 July 1945 War Substantive Major.
15 Aug 1945 Retired with the Honorary rank of Major.
See also ‘The Somme’ website produced by Major Hancock’s grandson detailing his life.
In 1984 Hancock was interviewed by Peter Hart for the Imperial War Museum.
At stand down Hancock compiled a list of all the remaining Patrol Leaders and Area and Group Commanders. With many thanks to the Hancock family for sharing this we have used this information as a basis for our research.
In 2016 Malcolm's Grandchildren; Charles and Polly, were able to march at the Cenotaph for the first time, representing their Grandfather's role in Auxiliary Units.
The Hancock Family