Private Richard Hubert Hanks. Source: De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour
17419 Private Richard Hubert Hanks of the 10th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment died at Trent Bridge Military Hospital in Nottingham on the 4th December 1915, aged twenty-five, having been seriously wounded on the 25th September 1915 during the Battle of Loos. Hubert Hanks was also a bellringer at Painswick (Gloucestershire) and a member of the Ancient Society of Painswick Youths and the Gloucester and Bristol Diocesan Association of Church Bell Ringers. He left a widow and two young children.
Private Hanks’s entry in De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour provides a succinct outline of his life [1]:
HANKS, RICHARD HUBERT, Private, No. 17419, 10th (Service) Battn. The Gloucestershire Regt., yst. s. of Thomas Henry Hanks, of Butt Green, Painswick, Labourer, by his wife, Mary Jane, dau. of William Workman; b. Painswick, co. Gloucester, 6 March, 1890; educ. Board School there; was employed as a Builder with Messrs. Burdock & Sons, Painswick, during which time he was a member of the local fire brigade, and a Church Bell Ringer; enlisted 1 Jan. 1915; served with the Expeditionary Force in France, and died in Trent-bridge Military Hospital, Nottingham, 4 Dec. following, from wounds received in action at the Battle of Loos, 25 Sept. While at school he was a member of the Church Lads’ and Boys’ Brigade, also a member of the Church Choir, and was a keen sportsman, playing for the Painswick Cricket Club. He m. at Stroud, 21 Dec. 1912, Emma Elizabeth, dau. of Joseph Foxwell, and had two children: Hubert Francis Joseph, b. 24 Nov. 1914, and Olive Susan Mary, b. 25 Sept. 1913.
This post will describe what happened to the 10th Gloucesters at the Battle of Loos, before going on to outline Richard Hubert Hanks’s life and bell-ringing career in a little more detail.
The 10th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment:
The 10th (Service) Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment was formed at Bristol in September 1914 as part of the K3 Army Group of Kitchener’s New Army, being initially attached to the 26th Division as Army Troops [2]. The battalion recruited from all around the County of Gloucestershire.
In early August, the 10th Gloucesters were at No. 6 Camp, Sutton Veny (Wiltshire) when they got the order to join the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) on the Western Front. Starting early on the 8th August, three trains took the battalion to Southampton, where in the evening they would sail for Le Havre. The battalion War Diary (WO 95/1265/2) recorded that it was an “uneventful crossing” [3]. Disembarking at 7.00 AM on the 9th, the battalion marched to No. 5 Rest Camp:
LE HAVRE. 9.8.15. 7.a.m. Very hot day; a number of men, lately vaccinated, fell out on way to camp; pave very difficult to march on, with heavily loaded packs, and new boots.
The following day, the battalion moved by truck to GHQ at Saint Omer, via Étaples, Boulogne and Calais. From there they marched to Tatinghem, where they were billeted in the village.
Water indifferent, also sanitation of village. Lately vaccinated men recovering slowly.
On the 16th August, the battalion started a two-day march to Béthune, in order to join 1st Brigade in the 1st Division, which was at that point in General Rawlinson’s IV Corps, in the British First Army. The battalion, together with the 8th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment, took the place of the 1st Battalions of the Coldstream and Scots Guards, who were leaving the brigade in order to form part of a new Guards Division. In 1st Brigade, the two New Army battalions were to join the 1st Battalions of the Black Watch and the Cameron Highlanders, as well as the 1/14th Battalion, the London Regiment (the London Scottish).
BETHUNE. 19.8.15. 6.0am. German aeroplane dropped bombs on BETHUNE. 1 N.C.O. & 1 men of this unit wounded.
The following day, the battalion started to familiarise themselves with the realities of trench warfare, under the instruction of 1st Division units:
BETHUNE. 19.8.15. 6.0am. Left for trenches. No. 1 Coy. Went to 1st GLOSTERS in Trenches Z.1., No. 2 Coy. to 1st CAMERONS in Y.3., No. 3 Coy., to LONDON SCOTTISH in Y.2, and No. 4 Coy., to 1st SCOTS GUARDS in Y.1., H.Q. of Battn. Situated at SAILLY LABOURSE. Companies remained with units named, in the trenches, for instructional purposes, for 19th, 20th, 21st August 1915. Two casualties (wounded men) in No. 4 Coy., from exploding shell. Transport bivouacked 2½ miles off at LABOURSE.
On the 29th August, the 10th Gloucesters were inspected by the GOC 1st Brigade (Brigadier-General A. J. Reddie) at Béthune, who “expressed himself very pleased with unit.” The battalion War Diary provides an outline of their movements and activities in the in run-up to what became known as the Battle of Loos [4]:
BETHUNE. 31.8.15. 2.pm. Left BETHUNE, marching with 1st Brigade, via ANNEZIN, LAPUGNOY, AUCHEL, CAUCHY A LA TOUR, to FERFAY, in which village unit billeted. Accommodation for billeting very poor and cramped. BLACK WATCH billeted in same village. No. 1 Company had to proceed to BELLERY to find billets.
Billeting party consists of Quartermaster, Interpreter, 4 Coy. Q.M. Serjts., 4 Coy. Billeting Orderly Guides, Sanitary Sergt., and 4 Sanitary men. Water supply in FERFAY very limited, and only fit for drinking after boiling. 3. Field Travelling Kitchens broke down (axle tree snapped) and returned for repair.
FERFAY. 1.9.15. 11.0am. Inspected by G.O.C., 1st Division, General [Richard] Haking, who made very complimentary remarks.
[Haking would shortly afterwards be promoted to command XI Corps, his position as GOC 1st Division being taken over by Major-General Arthur Edward Aveling Holland]
FERFAY. 2.9.15. Battalion proceeded to start training 15 hours a day. Training for actual field service attack, defence, discipline.
3.9.15. Moved whole Machine Gun detachment to BELLERY, and found room for Transport personnel, in billets at FERFAY. Sickness amounting to 20 or 30 men, some with diarrhoea, others sore feet.
[…]
FERFAY. 3/9/15. On the march from BETHUNE to FERFAY, three field kitchens broke down, the axle tree having given way. It would appear that this is not strong enough considering the nature of the roads and pave which is encountered. These kitchens with the other one were sent to I.O.M. to be repaired and strengthened.
FERFAY. 3/9/15 to 10/9/15. Days spent in training; practising the attack over trenches, bombing instruction and firing at rifle range. On the 10/9/15 came first news of an impending push by the Allies. Object, to relieve pressure on our Russian allies to attempt to break through German lines, and threaten communications on their western front. Gas is to be used for the first time. Frontage in the attack allotted. 8th BERKS and 10th GLOSTERS to assault from new fire and support trench in Y.1.
FERFAY. 12/9/15. Working party under Lieut. RIDDLE and 2nd Lieut. GEORGE proceeded to trenches to assist 117th Batt. R.F.A. in digging gun emplacements.
14/9/15/ 2nd Lieut. GEORGE, E.C. accidentally shot by revolver bullet in lower abdomen by a subaltern of R.F.A. Taken to No. 1. Casualty Clearing Hospital at CHOCQUES.
18/9/15 2nd Lieut. GEORGE, E.C. died of wounds. Buried at CHOCQUES.
10/9/15 to 15/9/15. Battalion continues in training at FERFAY.
FERFAY. 18/9/15. Provided a fatigue party of 6 officers, 20 NCO’s and 284 men for carrying up gas cylinders from VERMELLES to front fire trenches in Y.1. This party under command of Capt. TONGUE, J.W.C.
18/9/15. 9.0am. 2nd Lieut. CAWS, R.N. with 1 N.C.O. & batman proceeded to WISQUES to undergo advanced course of M/c Gunnery. 2/Lieut TURNER, E.H. went to trenches to arrange and understand the system of communication in the impending attack. Outbreak of MUMPS in No. 1 Coy.
VERMELLES. 20/9/15. Working party mentioned above continue their work in taking up gas.
LE MARQUET WOOD. 21/9/15. Battalion moved from FERFAY at 9.30 a.m. to bivouac in LE MARQUET wood. Here working party from trenches rejoined.
22/9/15. 7.0am. Moved on via GOSNAY where all packs were dumped. Lieut. CARNEGY, F.A. remained with 95 mump contact cases. Arrived at Area ‘C’ in VAUDRICOURT WOOD where Battn. rested until 7 p.m., moving at this hour via RED ROUTE to trenches in SAILLY – NOYELLES lines.
NOYELLES. 23/9/15. Remained in trenches for night. Moved at 7 p.m. to take over Y.1 trenches from 2nd WELCH Regt.
Y.1 TRENCHES. 24/9/15. Moved up into battle position at 7.30 p.m. BLACK WATCH coming in as supporting battalion.
TRENCHES. 24/9/15. Notes from Arrival Inspection Report. Date of arrival 9.8.15; date disembarkation completed 9.8.15; date of inspection of personnel 9.8.15; date of inspection of transport 10.8.15; date of departure 10.8.15. (1). Personnel (strength) 30 Officers, 985 Other Ranks. (2). Establishment 30 Officers, 995 Other Ranks. (3). Health of personnel, V Good. Cases of Venereal, NIL. Numbers inoculated 1015 (once) 1015 (twice). (4) Rifles (Marks & Condition), S.L.E. Mk 1* (1), Mk 1*** (1) S.L.E. Mk III. Remainder, good. (5). Rifle ammn. Complete. (6). Revolver ammn. Complete, Mk. II. (7). Machine Guns. 3 V. Maxims, No mark on Guns. (8). M/c Gun Ammn. Complete. (9). Guns, NIL (10). Gun ammn., NIL (11). Equipment, Good Complete. (12). Clothing, Good Complete (13). Great Coats, Good Complete. (14). Boots, Standard No. 1. Good. (15). Field Dressings, Complete with Iodine. (16). Blankets, NIL. (17). Ground sheets, Good Complete. (18). Vehicles – Establishment Complete, inclusive of 4 G.S. waggons, 11 limbered waggons, 4 travelling kitchens, 2 water carts, 1 Maltese cart, 1 officers mess cart, 9 cycles. (19). Spare Parts Complete. (20). Horses (numbers & types) 12, Riding, 17 L.D., 7 H.D., 36 Mules. (21). Harness (Pattern) P.D. G.S.
TRENCHES. 25/9/15. 6.30 a.m. The battalion was ordered to deliver an assault on the first line system of German defences, which included three lines of entrenchments, with the primary objective HULLUCH and PUITS No. 14 BIS (ref. map No. 36.c.NW.3 and Part of 1 TRENCH MAP Scale 1:10,000). The assault was carried out in 3 lines, frontage being BOIS CARRÉE inclusive to Point 39 in G.17.d. The attack was delivered at 6.30 a.m. on 25/9/18 with the accompaniment of gas and smoke. The wind was not quite favourable with the result that from the start several men were affected. Notwithstanding this drawback the three lines moved forward punctually to the moment, machine guns accompanying. The Germans wire entanglement, which had been torn into gaps by bombardment, proved a considerable obstacle. The wind proving more favourable to the enemy than ourselves, in the smoke, direction was not properly maintained, but deflected to the right. Heavy resistance was encountered at the support and reserve German works, at the first, the enemy eventually evacuating these positions, and retreating towards HULLUCH. Our bombers suffered severely, their bombs in the main refusing to explode, the BROCK lighter having got wet with the rain, which fell in the early morning. Nevertheless the assault was pushed home with the utmost resolution over the 2nd German line into the third, and up the flanking communication trenches to eastwards. In this phase the Camerons and Black Watch co-operated. The officers fell as the position of their bodies showed, leading their men, and 16 out of 21 officers were lost. The bodies of our dead indicated how they died with faces to the enemy. One of our m/c guns was put out of action on coming over the parapet, but 2 other guns reached a point in advance of Point 89, constructed later. The action resulted in many German surrenders, and their flight from the position they were forced to evacuate by the rapid and continuous push of the assault. During night, under heavy rain, unit was reformed, some 60 survivors assembling, increased by 3rd day to 130.
26/9/15 and 17/9/15/ Lieut ROYDS and 2nd Lieuts TURNER and LISMORE with 3 m/c guns and 40 men garrisoned keep 89, strengthening positions there at point 76: G.18.a. At night Battn. was relieved and returned to Y1 trenches, remaining there during the day.
29/9/15. 11.35 Battn. was relieved from TRENCHES in Y1. By GUARDS BDE. And proceeded to billet in LES BREBIS. Here, at 6.0 a.m., Lt Col H.E. PRITCHARD left, under orders from G.O.C. 1st Inf. Bde. [Sentence obscured].
30/9/15. Major H. SUTHERLAND of the BLACK WATCH came and took over command.
NOEUX LES MINES. 30/9/15. Left LE BREBIS, proceeding to NOEUX LES MINES. Considerable trouble experienced here in billeting men, who with stragglers now rejoined amount to 11 officers, 373 men ration strength, and fighting strength of 9 officers, 276 men, exclusive of the 10 & 96 O.R. who still remain isolated at GOSNAY. Very difficult to obtain […] exact statistics of casualties, having no record of wounded, or those suffering from gas poisoning. Officers casualties are as follows: killed 8 (Captains TONGUE, J.W.C., GIBBS, I.R., SALE, E.H., Lieuts. ROBINSON, G.W., SYMONS, C.A., WHIFFIN, H.A., LEARY, G.G.W., 2nd Lieut. FIELD, G.W.), wounded 5 (Majors KIRKWOOD, J.G., PATERSON, W.R., Captain WHITWORTH, A.S., 2nd Lieuts. TATE, W.R., NEEMS, P.V.N.), missing 2 (Captain MOSS, E.H., 2nd Lieut. SCARISBRICK, T.S., the last named officer was assisting as 2nd in Command of the 1st Inf. Bde. WIRING PARTY.)
NOEUX LES MINES. 1/10/15. Moved billets again, one coy. going to BLACK WATCH, Nos. 2 & 4 to LONDON SCOTTISH, and No. 3 and M.G. Section to CAMERONS. List of deficiencies made, and general rest time for men. Baths obtained at BREWERY at K.18.b1.9. (Sheet 36.B).
Reference operations described above, the following message was received “The Corps Commander wishes to convey to all ranks his sincerest congratulations and thanks for their brilliant success to-day a.m. The G.O.C. 1st Divn. wishes to add his own thanks also.”
Of the officers that died on the 25th September 1915, Captains I. R. Gibbs, E. H. Sale, and John William Collis Tongue, Lieutenants G. G. W. Leary, Hartley Allen Whiffin, and Geoffrey Wathen Robinson, and Second Lieutenant G. W. Field are all buried in St. Mary’s A.D.S. Cemetery at Haisnes. Captain Edward Hampton Moss and Lieutenant Clement Aubrey Symons are commemorated on the Loos Memorial. Of the other 163 members of the 10th Gloucesters that died between the 25th and 30th September, 120 have no known grave and are named on the Loos Memorial. Others are buried in a host of nearby cemeteries, including Dud Corner Cemetery at Loos (20), St. Mary’s A.D.S. Cemetery (6), and Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery at Souchez (7).
Vermelles and Hulluch. Detail from Trench Map 36.c.NW; Scale: 1:20000; Edition: 3; Published: 1915: https://maps.nls.uk/view/101465014 Reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland (Creative Commons CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)
The 1st Brigade attack on the 25th September 1915:
The Battle of Loos was an attack by six British Divisions on an x mile front running from the La Bassée Canal in the north to the outskirts of Lens. Part of General Sir Douglas Haig’s First Army, three Divisions of I. Corps would attack north of the Vermelles – Hulluch road, while three Divisions of IV. Corps would attack south of it. After a preliminary artillery bombardment, the attack (after having been postponed) went in at 6:30 on the 25th September 1915.
The 10th Gloucesters were part of the 1st Division’s attack on the Lone Tree Ridge. The British Official History [5] noted that the original plan of attack for the Loos offensive was for the 1st Division to remain in reserve, so that it would be able to follow-up an attempt by the 15th (Scottish) Division to capture the village of Loos (Loos-en-Gohelle). However, the plan was later changed to one where all six divisions in I. and IV. Corps would attack simultaneously, following a discharge of gas from canisters — a weapon that was new to the British.
The 1st Division were on the left flank of IV. Corps, with the 7th Division (I. Corps) on their left, and the 15th (Scottish) Division on their right. The 1st Brigade front ran south from the Vermelles — Hulluch road to a shattered cherry tree known as Lone Tree. Facing the brigade was a destroyed copse, the Bois Carrée, and another defended position known as La Haie.
The British Official History outlines the 1st Division plan for the 25th September [6]:
The 1st Division was disposed with the 2nd and 1st Brigades in the front line and the 3rd in divisional reserve. The 2nd Brigade (Br.-General J. H. W. Pollard), on the right, was to assault on a 600-yard frontage between Northern Sap and Lone Tree, the solitary cherry tree in No Man’s Land that had blossomed in May, but was now so mutilated that only a bare trunk, 15-feet high, and broken stumps of branches remained. After over-running the German front and support trenches, the assaulting battalions would be on ground which overlooked the Loos valley; this they were to cross in a south-easterly direction, so as to bring their right in touch with the left of the 15th Division at Puits 14 bis and Bois Hugo, 2,000 yards ahead on the Lens-La Bassée road.
The 1st Brigade (Br.-General A. J. Reddie), between Lone Tree and the Vermelles – Hulluch road, was to advance due east, with the southern part of Hulluch village as its first objective.
The two brigades were thus to attack from the first on divergent lines, and, to fill the increasing gap that would be created between them as they progressed, an independent force was formed by taking away from each of them their extra (fifth) battalion, the London Scottish (1/14th London) from the 1st Brigade and the 1/9th King’s (Liverpool) from the 2nd Brigade. This detachment was kept directly under the division, and placed under Lieut.-Colonel E. W. B. Green of the 2/Royal Sussex. It was to move behind the inner flanks of the 1st and 2nd Brigades, and, on their reaching the Lens – La Bassée road, was to close the gap between them.
From the Lens road the attack was to be continued against the German second position, a thousand yards beyond, between Bois Hugo and Hulluch. This further advance would be supported by the 8rd Brigade (Br.-General H. R. Davies), moving close behind, and would be carried out in co-operation with the 15th Division on the right, and the 7th Division (I. Corps) on the left. After crossing the second position, the 1st Division was to continue due eastwards to the Haute Deule canal.
The Battle of Loos commenced at 6:30 am on the 25th September. Philip Warner noted that progress in the 1st Division area was slow, especially in the centre [7]:
The gas moved very slowly and the advancing troops were soon themselves in it. Worse still, the German wire had escaped being cut by artillery and could not be cut by hand. The attack in the centre stopped completely. This was a serious setback but not a disaster. Unfortunately, instead of accepting the lesson that further attacks in this sector would be costly and unprofitable – if not hopeless – further assaults were intermittently made.
The attack in the 1st Brigade sector, which was led by the brigade’s New Army battalions, was more successful. Why Brigadier-General Reddie chose his New Army battalions to spearhead the attack is not entirely clear. Andrew Rawson speculates that he possibly hoped “to capitalize on the enthusiasm and innocence of the New Army men to break through the first line of trenches,” thus enabling the more experienced units to push on and capture Hulluch [8].
The results of the attack were recorded by the Official History [9]:
The attack of the 1st Brigade on the left was more successful. The 10/Gloucestershire (Lieut.-Colonel H. E. Pritchard) and the 8/R. Berkshire (Colonel W. C. Walton) led the way. The gas, especially the fumes from some leaky cylinders, had affected these battalions also; but the advance, carried out in three lines at 50 paces distance, was not delayed on this account. Immediately in front of the brigade on the crest of the ridge were the remains of two small copses, Bois Carré in front of the Gloucestershire, and La Haie in front of the Berkshire. Both had been reduced to low shattered scrub and offered no obstacle and little cover; but saps had been dug forward to each from the German trench, and in them placed machine guns, which had not been destroyed during the bombardment. In crossing No Man’s Land the battalions had many casualties from their fire, and suffered also from the German artillery, which was bursting shell in the cloud of smoke and gas in the hope of dispersing it.
Although the Gloucestershire, on the right, suffered particularly severely, they overran Bois Carré and captured the German front trench. Here, however, their further advance was held up by heavy rifle fire from the German support line eighty yards beyond. This they attacked over the open, again with heavy loss; but, on their approach, the Germans fled along the communication trenches towards Hulluch. The 10/Gloucestershire had, however, been destroyed as a battalion, and only sixty survivors continued the advance.
As has already been mentioned, the War Diary of the 10th Gloucesters recorded in stark terms the destruction of the battalion [10]:
The officers fell as the position of their bodies showed, leading their men, and 16 out of 21 officers were lost. The bodies of our dead indicated how they died with faces to the enemy.
The War Diary of the 8th Berkshires (WO 95/1265/1), who were on the left flank of the 10th Gloucesters, also provides an indication of the intensity of the fighting south of the Vermelles – Hulluch road, as well as some insight into German defensive tactics [11]:
[Y.1. 25.9.15.] 6.30 A.M. The fire of our artillery lifted, and the Battalion advanced in quick time to assault the first line Enemy Trenches, the 10th Gloucester Regt. being on the right, the 2nd Gordons [20th Brigade, 7th Division] on the left. The advance was opposed by heavy artillery and machine-gun fire, while the wire in front of the German trenches was found to be scarcely damaged, and it was in cutting a way through this obstacle that most of the regiment’s heavy casualties occurred. Shrapnel and machine-gun combined to play havoc in our ranks and on additional disaster was the blowing back of our gas, by the wind, into our own ranks. However, after a struggle, the German first line was penetrated, and the trench found to be practically deserted, the enemy apparently having deserted it earlier in the day, merely leaving behind sufficient men to work the machine-guns. Mainly overland but with some men working up the communication trench, our line advanced successfully to the 2nd and 3rd German lines, and met with but slight opposition. From the 3rd line a further advance was made, and an Enemy Field Gun captured. A 4th line German trench was also seized, but being in so incomplete a state that it afforded little cover from rifle fire and none whatever from shrapnel. COLONEL WALTON ordered the line to be withdrawn to the 3rd German line trench, and the position was occupied until the Battalion was relieved.
Nick Lloyd describes this part of the 25th September attack as the 1st Brigade bludgeoning a path through the German front line [12].
Philip Warner summarises what happened next, in which the survivors of the New Army battalions combined with the 1st Cameron Highlanders to infiltrate Hulluch. But with no support available, their temporary occupation of the village was all to no avail [13]:
A mixed force was hastily arranged from the survivors of the Gloucesters, Berkshires and 1st Cameron Highlanders. Here an advance party found a gap in the German wire and entered Hulluch village. The Germans had deserted their trenches in this part of the line and were falling back. The news was thought to be too good to be true and no effort was made to switch Green’s force or other reinforcements into the sector. In consequence the advance party, consisting of thirty Camerons, stayed in the village from 0900 hrs. till early afternoon. They were then driven out by the arrival of the German 157th Regiment.
The British attack of the 25th September had mixed results. Some divisions (especially the 15th and 47th) had made significant gains, while others (for example, the 2nd Division) achieved very little. The 1st Division had managed to capture and hold several lines of the German defensive system, at considerable cost, but still ended up some way short of their intended objectives. Nick Lloyd comments that, “in many cases, once the attacking battalions had crossed the German front line, they were in no fit state to go much further” [14]. This certainly seems largely true for the 10th Gloucesters on the 25th September.
Bois Carrée, Lone Tree, and Hulluch in June 1916. Detail from Trench Map 36C.NW; Scale: 1:20000; Edition: 7A; Published: 1916; Trenches corrected to 12 June 1916: https://maps.nls.uk/view/101465011 Reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland (Creative Commons CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)
The Battle of Loos continued until the 28th September, with German counter-attacks eventually pushing the British back to their starting positions. The British would attack again on the 13th October in an attempt to capture German positions at the Hohenzollern Redoubt and Fosse 8, but this was also a costly failure. The Battle of Loos is chiefly now remembered as a German defensive triumph. The human cost is highlighted by the 20,639 casualties with no known grave named on the Loos Memorial to the Missing at Dud Corner Cemetery. Many more are buried in cemeteries in the area.
After Loos, there was much criticism of the British Commander-in-Chief, Field Marshal French, especially for his handling of reserves (XI. Corps) on the opening day of the offensive. After much intrigue, French was “resigned” in December 1915 and replaced as Commander-in-Chief by the GOC of First Army, General Sir Douglas Haig.
Richard Hubert Hanks:
Richard Hubert Hanks was born at Painswick on the 6 March 1890, the son of Thomas Hanks and Mary Jane Hanks (née Workman). The family featured in the 1891 Census, living at Butt Green, Painswick. Thomas Hanks was forty-two years old and working as a general labourer, while Mary Hanks was forty. At the age of one, Hubert was at that time the youngest of the five children in the household, who also included: Edward (aged 15, an agricultural labourer), John (13, a mill hand), James (8) and Matilda (5), who were both still at school. Hubert was still living at Butt Green with his family at the time of the 1901 Census. Thomas Hanks was now fifty-two years old and working as a domestic gardener, while Mary Hanks was fifty. Hubert was eleven years old and attending school. He was still the youngest person in the household, the others now being: Albert (aged 25, a hair pin machinist) and James (19, an agricultural labourer).
Painswick: St Mary’s Church (Gloucestershire)
The entry for Richard Hubert Hanks in De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour states that, while at school, he “was a member of the Church Lads’ and Boys’ Brigade, also a member of the Church Choir, and was a keen sportsman, playing for the Painswick Cricket Club.”
In 1908, the Gloucestershire Echo of the 24th January 1908 [15] reported that Hubert Hanks was a witness in a court case at Stroud. Frank Trow, a labourer, had been summoned for having been drunk in Bell Street, Painswick, after being ejected from an inn. Hubert was a witness for the defendant, stating that Trow was not drunk, although he knew that he had been ejected from the inn. On his seeking to adjourn the case in order to call more witnesses, Trow was then summoned for assault in an altercation with the landlord of the Bell Inn a few days previously, and the court eventually ordered him to pay 24s, with an additional fine of 6s. 6d for “refusing to quit.”
Painswick: St Mary’s Church; from Ringing World, 2nd June 1916, p. 251.
At some point, Hubert learnt to ring church bells and joined the band at Painswick, who were known as the Ancient Society of Painswick Youths. He rang the tenor to a peal of Grandsire Triples at Painswick on the 10 December 1910 [16]. The published record in the Bell News does not specify that this was his first peal, but it certainly seems to have been his first peal at Painswick. He also rang the tenor to another peal of Grandsire Triples at Painswick on the 14 January 1911 [17].
The Bell News and Ringers’ Record, 14 January 1911 (p. 596)
The 1911 Census records the Hanks family living at Gloucester Street, Painswick. Thomas Hanks was sixty-three years old and working as a general labourer, while Mary Jane Hanks was sixty-two. Richard Hubert Hanks was by then twenty-one years old and working as a bricklayer’s labourer. His older brother, George James Hanks (now 29), was working as a farm labourer. The 1911 Census return also recorded that Thomas and Mary Hanks had had six children, two of whom had died. Hubert’s entry in De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour records that Hubert was employed as a bricklayer with Messrs. Burdock & Sons, Painswick, as well as being a member of the local fire brigade.
Hubert also kept up with his bellringing, ringing several more peals on the tenor at Painswick. On the 8th July 1911, he rang in a peal of Grandsire Caters for the Coronation of King George V and Queen Mary, which was his first peal on ten bells [18].
The Ringing World, 21st July 1911 (p. 291)
Hanks would ring several more peals at Painswick over the next few years, always covering on the 26 cwt tenor bell.
Richard Hubert Hanks’s entry in De Ruvigny’s records that he married Emma Elizabeth Foxwell, the daughter of Joseph Foxwell, at Stroud on the 21 December 1912. They would have two children: Olive Susan Mary (born 25 September 1913), and Hubert Francis Joseph (born 24 November 1914).
A few days after his wedding, Hubert was back in the tower at Painswick, ringing a peal of Grandsire Triples [19].
The Bell News and Ringers’ Record, 11th January 1913, p. 577.
Hubert Hanks’s ringing career culminated in a long-length peal of 7,325 changes of Grandsire Cinques, which was rung at Painswick on the 24th March 1913, with Hubert (as usual) ringing the tenor bell [20]. This was the longest peal rung on the bells at Painswick since a peal of 8,448 Stedman Cinques rung in 1858
The Ringing World, 28 March 1913 (p. 206)
This performance is marked by an elaborate peal board in the ringing chamber at Painswick. This also records another long-length of Grandsire Cinques that was rung on the 14th February 1920, in which the tenor was rung by Albert Hanks, who was probably Hubert’s older brother.
Painswick: Peal board in St Mary’s Church (Gloucestershire)
Hubert Hanks’s final peal at Painswick seems to have been one of Grandsire Cinques rung on the 4th April 1914 [21].
The Bell News and Ringers’ Record, 11th April 1914, p. 67.
The Painswick Youths attempted to ring a very long peal of 12,473 (or 12,475) changes of Grandsire Cinques on the 25th April 1914. As usual with record attempts, the date and time was announced in the Ringing World, but the peal apparently failed after around three hours of excellent ringing [22]. It is not recorded whether Hubert Hanks was part of this particular attempt, but it seems highly-likely that he would have been the tenor ringer (as per usual for the Painswick band). A record length of 13,001 changes of Grandsire Cinques was eventually scored at Painswick on the 14 February 1920.
Richard Hubert Hanks enlisted at Stroud on the 1st January 1915, joining the 10th (Service) Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment. It appears that a peal had been arranged for a date-and-time when Hubert and three others serving in HM Forces would have been at home on leave, but the imminent move of the 10th Gloucesters to France seems to have intervened in Hubert’s case. The peal was successfully rung on the 2nd August 1915, with only William Ireland able to take part [23].
The Ringing World, 13 August 1915 (p. 62).
Private Hanks was seriously wounded in the leg on the 25th September 1915. He was at first evacuated to a Base Hospital, and then repatriated to the military hospital based at Trent Bridge Cricket Ground in Nottingham. He died there on the 4th December, following the amputation of a leg on the 23rd November. He was buried at Painswick on the 8th December 1915.
An account of the funeral was published in the Cheltenham Chronicle of the 18th December 1915 [24]:
The large gathering of Painswickians and others who attended the funeral of Private Richard Hubert Hanks, of the 10th Gloucesters, was evidence of the respect in which the deceased soldier was held. He was wounded in September in the advance of Loos, and died after having had a leg amputated at a hospital in Nottingham. The authorities were unable to accord the gallant hero a military funeral, but the firemen of the division saw to it that he was interred with spectacular ceremony. For they attended in full uniform, and the body was conveyed to the cemetery on the Painswick fire engine, the coffin being enveloped in the Union Jack, while upon it was placed the deceased’s fireman’s helmet, tunic, and belt. Although only 25 years of age, he had crowded a lot of honorary service into his life, for in addition to serving in the Fire Brigade he was a ringer, being a member of the Society of Painswick Youths, and the ringers paid special tribute to his memory by a performance on the far-famed bells of Painswick Church.
* * *
Private Hanks had rung several peals on the 8, 10, and 12 bells, including a peal of cinques on the 12 bells of 7,325 changes in five hours, in which he rang the tenor bell. Of him the Master Ringer, Mr. William Hale, says: “He was always an excellent striker and a steady ringer.” The bells were chimed before and after the memorial service in the church, and after the funeral a deeply muffled peal was rung, consisting of a quarter peal of grandsire triples, 1,260 changes, in 57 minutes, followed by the solemn ringing known as the whole pull and stand. The age of 25 was tolled on the tenor bell. The honour paid to this true Painswick soldier was well deserved, and it will serve as some consolation to the family in their bereavement.
The Ringing World also published a fairly-long account of Private Hanks’s funeral, including the names of those that had rung in the memorial quarter peal [25]:
SOLDIER-RINGER DIES OF WOUNDS.
The Ancient Society of Painswick Youths have lost a much esteemed member by the death of Pte Hubert Hanks, of the 10th Gloucester Regiment, who died of wounds received in action. He was seriously wounded in the advance on Loos on September 25th, and had been in hospital at Nottingham, where he made a long and bravo fight for life. At one time it was hoped he might recover. He had to undergo an operation for the removal of a leg. and, at a time when there seemed to be hope for him, grew suddenly worse. His wife was summoned, and was present when he passed away. He died a true soldier’s death, and the widow, who, with two children, is left to mourn her loss, has received from Lord Kitchener a letter conveying the sympathy of the King and Queen.
The deceased was a consistent and valued member of the Painswick Youths for about seven years, and, while he was always a tenor ringer, he was an excellent striker. Of genial and cheery nature, his loss will by much felt by the hand. He had rung about twelve peals, including 7,325 Grandsire Cinques. Pte Hanks was also a member of the Painswick Fire Brigade, and was given a fireman’s funeral, the remains being taken to Painswick for interment. The service was conducted by the Revs. H. Seddon and T. M. Williams, and the sad obsequies were very impressive. Before the service the ringers chimed the bells, and the service opened with the “Dead March” in Saul. The coffin, which had rested in the church since the morning, was covered with the Union Jack, upon which wore the deceased’s fireman’s helmet and coat. The hymns sung were “Now the labourer’s task is o’er” and “Peace, perfect peace.” There was a large number of Painswick residents present to pay a last mark of respect, and the Fire Brigades represented were: Painswick, Brimscombe, Stroud Volunteer and Stroud Urban Council. The local V.T.C. attended, as well as boys from Painswick School. The wreaths included one inscribed: “With the Ancient Society of Painswick Youths’ deepest sympathy for an esteemed member who lost his life for his country,” and another, “From the members of the Painswick Fire Brigade, ‘He did his bit.’”
After the funeral a quarter-peal of Grandsire Triples was rung, with the bells deeply muffled, and the solemn whole pull and stand by Thos. Wright 1, William Hastings 2, William Hale 3, Albert Wright (conductor) 4, C. West 5, William Staits 6, William Ryland 7, Frank Cole 8.
The Ringing World, 24 December 1915 (p. 291)
On the 8th January 1916, the Painswick ringers also rang a half-muffled peal of Grandsire Triples “to the memory of those who have fallen in the war,” which presumably would have included their former comrade Hubert [26].
The Ringing World, 14th January 1916 (p. 15)
In February 1916, the late Private Hanks’s name appeared in a list published in the Ringing World of members of the Stroud and District Branch of the Gloucester and Bristol Diocesan Association that had joined HM Forces [27]. It names the Painswick ringers serving at that time as Stanley Cole (Army Service Corps), William Ireland (10th Gloucesters), and Fred Millard (6th Gloucesters). All four had previously rung peals at Painswick.
The Ringing World, 4th February 1916 (p. 51)
An Armistice peal of Grandsire Caters was rung at Painswick on the 26th December 1918 [28].
The Ringing World, 17th January 1919 (p. 18)
The name of Richard H. Hanks features on the war memorial cross at Painswick.
Painswick: War Memorial (Gloucestershire)
Hubert’s parents both died in the Stroud district, presumably Painswick, in the 1920s: Mary J. Hanks in the 2nd quarter of 1925, aged 76; Thomas Hanks in the 1st quarter 1927, aged 78.
Hubert’s widow married Charles J. Pearce in the Stroud district in the 1st quarter of 1919. Emma Elizabeth Pearce of Glendale House, Vicarage Street, Painswick died at the Royal Hospital in Gloucester on the 10th September 1963.
Painswick: War Memorial Cross (Gloucestershire)
References:
[1] De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour; via Findmypast.
[2] Gloucestershire Regiment, The Long, Long Trail:
https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/regiments-and-corps/the-british-infantry-regiments-of-1914-1918/gloucestershire-regiment/
[3] WO 95/1265/2, 10th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment War Diary, The National Archives, Kew.
[4] Ibid.
[5] James E. Edmonds, Military Operations: France and Belgium, 1915, Vol II, 2nd ed., History of the Great War Based on Official Documents (London: Macmillan, 1930), p. 208:
https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.210676/page/n311
[6] Edmonds, pp. 209-210:
https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.210676/page/n315
[7] Philip Warner, The Battle of Loos (Barnsley: Pen & Sword Military, 2009), p. 14.
[8] Andrew Rawson, Battleground Europe: Loos – Hill 70 (Barnsley: Leo Cooper, 2002), p. 44.
[9] Edmonds, p. 212:
https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.210676/page/n317
[10] WO 95/1265/2, 10th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment War Diary, The National Archives, Kew.
[11] WO 95/1265/1, 8th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment War Diary, The National Archives, Kew.
[12] Nick Lloyd, Loos, 1915 (Stroud: The History Press, 2008), p. 132.
[13] Warner, pp. 14-15.
[14] Lloyd, p. 145.
[15] Gloucester Echo, 24 January 1908, p. 4; via British Newspaper Archive.
[16] Bell News and Ringers’ Record, 24 January 1911, p. 596:
http://cccbr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/bn29_11.pdf
[17] Bell News and Ringers’ Record, 25 February 1911, p. 669:
http://cccbr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/bn29_11.pdf
[18] Ringing World, 21 July 1911, p. 291:
http://cccbr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/rw1911.pdf
[19] Bell News and Ringers’ Record, 11 January 1913, p. 577:
http://cccbr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/bn31_13.pdf
[20] Ringing World, 28 March 1913, p. 206:
http://cccbr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/rw1913_a.pdf
[21] Bell News and Ringers’ Record, 11 April 1914, p. 67:
http://cccbr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/bn33_14.pdf
[22] Ringing World, 10th April 1914, p. 237; Ringing World, 24 April 1914, p. 277; Ringing World, 1 May 1914, p. 296:
http://cccbr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/rw1914_a.pdf
[23] Ringing World, 13 August 1915, p. 62:
http://cccbr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/rw1915_b.pdf
[24] Cheltenham Chronicle, 18 December 1915, p. 3; via British Newspaper Archive.
[25] Ringing World, 24 December 1915, p. 291:
http://cccbr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/rw1915_b.pdf
[26] Ringing World, 14 January 1916, p. 15:
http://cccbr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/rw1916_a.pdf
[27] Ringing World, 4 February 1916, p. 51:
http://cccbr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/rw1916_a.pdf
[28] Ringing World, 17 January 1919, p. 18:
http://cccbr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/rw1919.pdf
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