Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (Military) O.B.E.; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star with 1st Army clasp; Italy Star; Defence Medal; War Medal 1939-45 with M.I.D. Oakleaf - all unnamed as awarded in original box of issue with award slip addressed to Lt. Col C.B. Hancock. O.B.E., Bramcote Cottage, Dittisham, Devon.
Charles Bernard Hancock RAF/RE was born in Worcester in 1896. He served in the last few months of WWI with the RAF and was commissioned a 2nd Lt Observer as the war ended. He is not entitled to any WWI medals.
According to the 1939 Register he was a Contracts Manager attached to the R.A.F. Station at Granford Rigg, Lincolnshire.
He saw service with the Royal Engineers in WWII in Africa/Italy earning the 1st Army clasp to his Africa Star. He was Mentioned in Dispatches on 11.11.1943 and was awarded the OBE for service in Italy in 1944 (LG 24 August 1944) The citation reading as follows:
"Lt Colonel Hancock has done exceptional work since the day on which Allied troops entered Naples. Though comparatively deficient of personnel and equipment it is noteworthy that the first supply of water was produced under his directions. Its importance can hardly be overestimated. Again the first supply of power came from British resourcefulness. Time and again during the first few weeks he made notable contributions to the resuscitation of civil life and the early establishment of the essential needs of a Base. His energy was outstanding and the pace at which he and his subordinates worked and have continued to work has been noteworthy."
Died Devonshire, 29 May 1951
Also entitled to a British War and Victory Medals for WWI.
