Heslop's Local Advertiser 24/08/1917
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Percy Gladstone Hankin was born in 1892 at North Shields, Northumberland, one of 3 known children he was the youngest of 2 sons and a daughter. His father James Hankin born 1863, was baptised May 26th 1863 at the Wesleyan Methodist Church in the village of Halton Lea Gate, Northumberland. Having moved to Yorkshire he was married in the district of Bradford in 1886 to Sarah Ann Stamper native of Botton Hill Top, Westmoreland also born in 1863. Their daughter was born the following year at Dunhill, Yorkshire, however they had moved to Spekeland Street, Liverpool, Lancashire by 1890 where son James was born. They returned to Tynemouth, Northumberland the following year, living at King Street, James Hankin was employed as a grocer’s assistant. Nine years after the birth of Percy the family had moved to 4, Wesley Street, Felling, Gateshead, County Durham, his father now owned a grocer, wine and spirit shop assisted by his wife Sarah Ann, their daughter although only 14 years old kept house whilst William (13) was their errand boy, James (11) and Percy (9) were scholars. When Percy was older he too assisted his father in the grocery business.
Percy Gladstone Hankin enlisted at Felling, Gateshead in 1915, firstly assigned as Private 28845 Durham Light Infantry he was later transferred as Private 13148 to the 55th Machine Gun Corps (Infantry). Prior to his departure for the Western Front he was married in the district of Morpeth during the 4th quarter (Oct/Nov/Dec) 1915 to Emma Septima Patterson born at Bedlington, August 26th 1891.
He departed as part of the British Expeditionary Force to France landing at Le Havre, February 9th 1916, the M.G.C. was attached to the 55th Brigade, 18th (Eastern) Division, and used the Vickers machine gun, one of the best firearms ever made. Private Hankin saw action on the Somme during the Battle of Albert, July 1st-13th 1916 where they reached their objective at Montauban, Bazentin Ridge July 14th -17th including the capture of Trones Wood, Delville Wood July 15th-September 3rd, Thiepval Ridge September 23rd-30th, Ancre Heights October 1st-November 11th where they played a part in the capture of Schwahen Redoute and Regina Trench. In 1917 they took part in the Operations on the Ancre including Miraumont and the capture of Irles, March 10th. They fought during the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Battle of the Scarpe before moving to Flanders (Belgium) where they participated during the Battle of Pilkem Ridge July 31st-August 2nd 1917.
Private 13148 Percy Gladstone Hankin Machine Gun Corps was wounded during the battle and transferred via Field Ambulance back through the lines to the 64th Casualty Clearing Station at Proven north west of Ieper, Belgium, where he died of wounds July 31st 1917 (as per Register of Soldiers Effects) and interred at Mendinghem Military Cemetery, grave III. E. 3.
His widow Emma received all monies due to him, a pension and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to her at 1, Hollymount, Bedlington Colliery, Northumberland. She commissioned at a cost of 4 shillings 1 pence an additional inscription to be added to his military headstone, it reads, “Ever Remembered”. No children were born from their marriage.
Emma remarried in the district of Morpeth in 1921 to ex-serviceman Frederick John Muter born July 30th 1890 at Bedlington Station. Frederick had enlisted at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, November 5th 1916 aged 26 years stating he lived at Coquetdale House, Bedlington Station and was a clothing manager. His preferred role in the services was with the Army Service Corps Clothing Department, instead he was assigned firstly as Gunner and later as Driver 187873 to the Royal Field Artillery. He joined the 5th Brigade Reserve, November 9th and by December 18th 1916 had been transferred to the 341st Brigade which later became the 343rd Brigade, serving in India and South Africa. Transferred due to ill health suffering with a right inguinal hernia, which he stated was not caused by his serving in the military, he was assigned to the Royal Army Service Corps Remounts as Private R/448330. He was examined October 27th 1919 and demobilised October 31st 1919 at Swaythling, Southampton, Hampshire.
Frederick and Emma had a son John Christopher Muter born August 5th 1925 in the district of Morpeth, Northumberland, his death in 1969 at Kettering, preceded that of his parents. Frederick John Muter died at Kettering in 1975, Emma Muter-Hankin nee Patterson in 1979, registered in the district of Northampton, Northamptonshire.
The CWGC have recorded Private Hankin’s date of death as August 1st 1917, Register of Soldiers Effects states July 31st 1917 most probably it was not registered with the authorities until the following day.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Heslop's Local Advertiser 24/8/1917 carries the following:
"Private Percy Gladstone Hankin, Machine Gun Corps, killed on the battlefield on August 1st. Husband of Emma Hankin, and the youngest son of James and the late Sarah Ann Hankin, 20 Wesley Terrace, Felling. Before enlisting, he was with his father in business as a grocer in Wesley Terrace."
Percy Gladstone Hankin is not remembered on a local War Memorial.
