HANCOX, Alfred James

Alfred Hancox was the son of Mrs H. Hancox of 22 Watery Lane, Wordsley. He volunteered for the South Staffords and was sent to the 1st Battalion on the Western Front. During 1916 they fought actively on the Somme at Mametz and Delville Wood and during the winter of 1917 they were still in the Somme sector on the Ancre. They were not involved in the opening stages of the Third Battle of Ypres but went into the front line for the major attack of the 4th October at Polygon Wood. Conditions were at their worst with deep mud and drenching rain. Advances were made but among those who were killed in action was Lance Corporal Alfred Hancox. He was 21 years of age and is buried in Tyne Cot Cemetery (XLV J 10) and commemorated on the Wordsley Memorial.