Thomas Hancock

Thomas Hancock was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Details

He was approx. 33 years old, and a Private in the 9th Lancers (The Queen's Royal), British Army during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 19 June 1857 at Delhi, India during the Mutiny, when a waggon of one of the batteries was blown up and the horse of a brigadier was shot, Private Hancock with another private (John Purcell) and a sowar of the 4th Irregular Cavalry stayed with the officer until he could be dragged to safety by the sowar's horse. Private Hancock was severely wounded and the other private's horse was killed under him.

He later achieved the rank of Corporal.

He died in Westminster Workhouse, March 12, 1871, and was buried in a common (unmarked) grave in Brompton Cemetery.

External links

• Location of grave (http://www.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/stewart/brompton.htm) (Brompton Cemetery)

This page has been migrated from the Victoria Cross Reference (http://www.victoriacross.net) with permission.