The Soldier's Details

Surname:
Hancock
First Name:
George
Nick Name:
Nunky
Rank:
Private
Regimental #:
WX7987
Classification:
Clerk
Company:
‘D’ Company Headquarters, No 14 Platoon.
Place of Birth:
Leicester, England
Father's Name:
John Robert Hancock
Mothers's Name:
Charlotte Sophia Hancock (nee Martin)
Religion:
Methodist
Pre-war Occupation:
Cashier
Singapore:
Selarang Camp Changi
Force:
‘A’ Force Burma, Green Force, No. 3 Battalion
Camps Thailand:
Tamarkan, Banderra Chao Puraya River, Nacompaton,Bangkok
Camps Burma:
Tavoy, Ye, Victoria Point, Thetkaw, Meiloe, Aungganaung
POW#:
9355
Return Details 1945:
Thailand-Singapore by aircraft; Singapore-Fremantle, HMT Moreton Bay

General Description

George Hancock aged 12 years migrated with his parents and family from London on ‘Ajama’ to Fremantle 2 October 1913 also his married sister Rebecca Letts  and her sons.
His mother died in Perth in 1933 and his father John Robert Hancock died in Perth in 6 Mar 1944.

 

 

Bryan Manwaring’s wife Dorothy Letts is related to George, she is probably related to George’s sister Rebecca who came to Australia with her husband Thomas Letts and three sons James, Thomas and John (Jack) Letts.

 

George Hancock, Bryan Manwaring and Dorothy (Letts) Manwaring.
George Hancock, Bryan Manwaring and Dorothy (Letts) Manwaring.

 

George left Singapore with the first first work Party  ‘A’ Force Burma Green Force No. 3 Battalion to work on the Burma end of the Burma-Thai Railway.  Included in this work Party was Bryan Manwaring.
George was at Ye Hospital 17.9.1942 and transferred to Tavoy with Dysentery. From Tavoy he was sent straight to Thetkaw.  He was at Thanby Hospital 5.3.1943 then sent to Tamakan.
Marched into Bangkok area from Banderra 4.9.1945 where he worked on the bridge bombed by Allies on Chao Puraya River (as did Con Ryan WX8734).

 

The above news was printed October 1943.

September 1945

At the end of the war, George was recovered from Nacompaton, Thailand.
L-R Wally Lynch, Bill Hicks, George Hancock, ‘Trader’ Horn.

 

When George returned to WA he spent time convalescing at Lady Mitchell, Cottesloe where former POWs with failing eyesight were sent to be treated and convalesce.    Please go to Lady Mitchell.
In 1946 George married Emma (Amanda) Strempel they had two children Georgina and Helen (who married Colin Hunter).

 

 

 

George Hancock died 19th October 1995 at the age of 95 years. He was cremated Karrakatta Cemetery.

Camp Locations:

  • Selarang Camp Changi - Singapore
  • Banderra, Chao Puraya River - Thailand
  • Nacompaton, Nakom Pathom Hospital - Thailand
  • Tamarkan, Tha Makham 56k - Thailand
  • Aungganaung,105Kilo - Burma
  • Meilo, 75 Kilo, 340k - Burma
  • Tavoy (Dawei) - river port - Burma
  • Ye - Burma
  • Bangkok - Thailand
  • Victoria Point, Kawthoung - Burma. \'A\' Force, Green Force No. 3 Btn
  • Thetkaw 14 Kilo - Burma
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