HANKINS, William Henry

William Hankins was the son of William and Mary Jane Hankins of 15 Osborne Road, West Bromwich. He was living in Brierley Hill when he enlisted in the Leicestershire Regiment, probably in 1917. After training he went to the Western Front to join the 2nd Battalion of the Essex Regiment. In March 1918 they were attacked during the first German Spring offensive and fought in the defensive battle of Arras which started on the 28th March. They were then required to move to Flanders for the second German offensive on the Lys. Once again they were forced to retreat and fought in the famous action defending the Hinges ridge. Losses were very high and Private William Hankins was killed in action on the 24th April. He was 18 years of age and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial and on Brierley Hill and Brierley Hill church Memorials.