Hancock, Charles Ronald
Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
Wing Commander
No. 05112, 303 (Polish) Squadron, Royal Air Force
Killed in an aircraft accident on Wednesday 29 December 1943 (aged 40)
No known grave
Commemorated:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Runnymede Memorial, Surrey, England (Panel 118)
BIOGRAPHY
Charles Ronald Hancock’s birth was registered in the second quarter of 1903 in Bath, Somerset and he was a son of Charles Edward and Constance Mary Hancock (nee Cox). Charles Edward Hancock was a merchant and his home was in Corfu, Greece when he and Constance Mary Cox were married on 21 August 1899 in the Parish Church of St. Bride, London. Both were 34 years old and, at the time, Constance’s father was dead, and she was staying at the Vicarage with the Revd Hawkins and his family.
In 1911 Charles Ronald Hancock (aged 8) was a boarder at Edgeborough Private School, Epsom Road, Guildford which was run by Arthur Henry James, his wife Emily Pricilla James and his wife’s brother, John Herbert Stokoe.
Charles Ronald Hancock joined the Royal Air Force and in 1929 he was promoted from the rank of Flying Officer to Flight Lieutenant. He served in the North West Frontier of India and it was there that he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in recognition of gallant and distinguished service between April and September 1930.
The marriage of Charles Ronald Hancock and Louise Purshouse of Chelston, Devon was registered in the third quarter of 1933 in Elham, Kent. In 1936 he was promoted to the rank of Squadron Leader and in 1940 to the rank of Wing Commander. In 1941 he was awarded the OBE.
On 27 August 1943 Wing Commander Charles Ronald Hancock assumed command of RAF Ballyhabert. Before that he was the officer in charge of RAF Eglinton in County Londonderry. On 29 December 1943 Wing Commander Hancock went missing after taking up a Supermarine Spitfire for local flying. His body was never recovered. Temporary command of RAF Ballyhalbert was taken over by Wing Commander Kirkpatrick and on 11 January 1944 Group Captain Richardson assumed full command.
Wing Commander Charles Ronald Hancock’s effects amounted to some £12,015 and probate was granted to Ronald William Hamilton, solicitor’s managing clerk.
Wing Commander Charles Ronald Hancock (No. 05112) is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial in Surrey.