Thomas Hancock

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Thomas Hancock VC (July 1823 - 12 March 1871) 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.

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He was about 33 years old, and a private in the 9th Lancers (The Queen's Royal), British Army during the Indian rebellion of 1857 when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

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On 19 June 1857 at Delhi, India during the rebellion, when a wagon of one of the batteries was blown up and the horse of the brigadier commanding the cavalry brigade was shot, Privates Hancock and John Purcell, along with Sowar Roopur Khan of the Indian Army's 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 Purcell's horse was killed under him. Both Hancock and Purcell were awarded Victoria Crosses.

He later achieved the rank of corporal.

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

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