Hi John,
The following is all I have on Pte. 7626 Joseph Hanks at present:
Private Hanks was born 1882 in Bromsgrove and enlisted in Worcester. A member of 'D' company he was killed in action aged 31 at the battle of Langemark and is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. Served in the South African Campaign. Son of Joseph and Cathrine Hanks, of 7 Court, 3 House, New Summer St., Birmingham; husband of the late Margaret Hanks.
The 1891 census shows he was one of five children living with their parents at 9 Hunters Vale, in the Parish of Aston
He was entitled to the 1914 Star, British War and Victory Medals, however his MIC states his medals were returned in 1922.
His service number would indicate he enlisted sometime around 1903.
The following is an extract from 'The Worcestershire Regiment in the Great War' by Capt. H. FitzM. Stacke for the day Joseph was killed:
The 2nd Worcestershire advanced at 0500 hours in an easterly direction towards Wallemglem, with the 4th Guards Brigade on their right and the 1st Division on their left. They moved forward from the Pilckem ridge to the crossroad's north of St. Julien where a long halt was made while the 1st Division came up into line on the left. British cavalry reported that the enemy were close in front and intermittent firing could be heard, but trees and hedgerows obscured the view. By 0930 hours all were ready to resume the advance, but the delay of three hours had enabled the enemy's advanced troops to push forward almost up to the position of the halted Brigade.
The leading platoons of the Worcestershire had advanced only a few hundred yards when their movement was checked by sharp bursts of fire from a strong force of Germans in the hedges in front. A confused fight followed, with much firing and many rushes of small bodies of troops from hedge to hedge. In the hand to hand fighting Lt. Haskett-Smith was knocked over and captured. The closeness of the fighting prevented the enemy sending him back, and he was kept in their forward trenches. After it became dark he succeeded in escaping. Reinforcements were hurried up by both sides, and rapid firing became general all along the line. Many men were hit, the advance became more and more difficult, and the platoons were forced to dig cover with their entrenching tools. Away to the left the advance of the 1st Division had similarly held up around Langemarck.
Fighting lasted all day, both sides endeavouring to gain ground. The platoons in the front-line suffering severely. Capt. Nolan R.A.M.C. was killed, and Lieutenant Curtler shot dead while directing the fire of his platoon. Sergeant D.M. Owins took over command and, although wounded soon afterwards, continued the fight most gallantly throughout the day. He was awarded the DCM for this action.
By nightfall all four companies of the 2nd Worcestershire had been drawn into the firing line, which was extended among the hedgerows about a mile north east of St. Julien. Picks and shovels were brought up after dark, and the troops set to work to make their positions more secure. Throughout the night they laboured hard entrenching the position. Firing continued at intervals, and the work was interrupted by several minor attacks, which were all beaten off. The fighting had been heavy during the whole day and night.
I visited Gheluvelt (Ypres and surrounding area) myself earlier this year.
Sorry I can't give you any more details but if you can add anything to the above I would appreciate it.
Do you have a photograph of Joseph in uniform?
Regards
Peter