Pte 50661 Charles Hankin

• Age: 34
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• K.I.A Sunday 28th April 1918
• Commemorated at: Tyne Cot Memorial
  Panel Ref: Panel 31-34

Charles Hankin was born in Liverpool on the 15th December 1884 in Liverpool, the son of Thomas Hankin and his wife Annie Elizabeth (née Jones). His parents married in Bury in 1877.

On the 1891 census he is aged 7 and is living at 1 Devonshire Road, Everton. His father, Thomas, is a 39 year old house painter born in Liverpool, whilst his mother Elizabeth is 33 years of age and was born in West Felton, Shropshire. His siblings were all born in Liverpool; Edward is 12, George 11, James 9, Louisa 4, Thomas 3, and Hannah E. 1. Also present is his uncle, his fathers brother, William a 44 year old joiner.

According to his DeRuvigny record he was educated at Christ Church school, Everton.

At the time of the 1901 census he is aged 17, and an engineers time keeper living at 24 Torr Street, Everton. His father is a 49 year old house painter, his mother Elizabeth is 44, siblings Edward 22 house painter, George 21 house painter, James 19 clerk, Louisa 14 tailoress apprentice, Thomas 13, Georgina 9, David 4, Septimus 2.

His parents had another child Jessie who was born in 1902.

Charles married at West Derby on the 11th February 1908 to Harriet Martha Edwards. 

On the 1911 census he is aged 27, married, a theatre attendant living at 22 Binney Street, Everton. His wife Harriet Martha is 22 years of age and was born in Liverpool. They have been married for 4 years, and have had two children who have sadly both died. 

Following the 1911 Census they had three more children; James born on 03rd September 1911, Doris born 14th October 1913 and Patricia born 17th March 1916. 

Charles had been employed at the King's Picture House, Oakfield Road, Anfield, Liverpool prior to the outbreak of war. 

He enlisted in Liverpool and was serving in the 17^th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 50661.

Charles was killed in action on the 28^th April 1918, aged 34, during the German Spring Offensive. Details of the events of the day are contained in the Battalion diary as follows:

By the 25^th April the battalion had taken up positions of readiness in the Voormezeele sector. According to the battalion War Diary, on the night of the 27^th, at 8.30 p.m. they moved to the line to relieve 4^th Bn, relief completed about 1 a.m.

28^th – At about 1 p.m. a company of composite battalion gave way on the left of our line and the Bosche penetrated from the Canal Bank to the left of my battalion front, which position he maintained despite 5 hours fighting. My reserve company was ordered to counter-attack and restore the position at 7.45 p.m. but enemy laid down a barrage at 7.43 a.m. and the counter attack was unable to proceed. The enemy bombardment lasted until 10.30 p.m. and I then organised a defensive flank.

Charles's body was not recovered or was subsequently lost as he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial. 

Those United Kingdom and New Zealand servicemen who died after August 16th 1917 are named on the Tyne Cot Memorial, a site which marks the furthest point reached by Commonwealth forces in Belgium until nearly the end of the war.

The Tyne Cot Memorial now bears the names of almost 35,000 officers and men whose graves are not known. The memorial, designed by Sir Herbert Baker with sculpture by Joseph Armitage and F.V. Blundstone, was unveiled by Sir Gilbert Dyett on 20 June 1927.

The memorial forms the north-eastern boundary of Tyne Cot Cemetery, which was established around a captured German blockhouse or pill-box used as an advanced dressing station.

Charles' DeRuvigny Roll:-

Enlisted in Liverpool Regiment in June 1916, served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from May 1917 and was killed in action 28th April 1918, buried where he fell. He acted as an Officers servant and on going to search for his master who had been killed was himself killed a few minutes later. [In the trenches, a servant(batman) carried his personal weapon and often acted as a bodyguard, while the officer carried out his duties as a platoon, company or battalion commander]

2nd Lieutenant Harrop was making a reconnaissance at the time of his death, on failing to return to the safety of his trench his servant Private Charles Hankin went out to look for him and in doing so was killed himself within moments.  

According to the 17/KLR War Diary Captain R.H.Bloore and 2/Lt Tom Harrop were killed on the 28th. From existing records it is more likely Charles was servant to Capt. Harrop. 

Soldiers Effects, Army Pay of £11 8s 10d, War Gratuity £8 10s, and Pension of 29/7 pw to widow Harriett Martha and children James, Doris and Patricia, 2 Atherton Grove, Torr Street, Liverpool. 

After the 1921 Census Charles' brother, David Herbert, married his widow Harriet in order for her to keep her children.  

Charles' brother, David Herbert, married his widow Harriet in order for her to keep her children. 

On the 1939 Register the family are living at 115 Fontill Street. Harriet Martha, date of birth 01st March 1889, has her 3 children but David is not present (he is still on the Electoral Roll). She died aged 88 in 1977. 

His father, died, in the June quarter of 1923, aged 70.

His mother, died, in the June quarter of 1927, aged 69.

Grateful thanks are extended to Becky Ramsey for bring the information about Charles' brother marrying his widow, Harriet.  

We currently have no further information on Charles Hankin, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.