Donald Hankey

[Terry Carter]

I know an old copy of the WFA's 'Stand To' once did a feature on Donald Hankey. I am hoping that some one can help with a brief synopsis of his service with the The Royal Warwickshire Regiment. I believe it was the 1st Battalion. How long did he serve in the Regiment and did he see action with them?

Thanks all

[Kate Wills]

I have to be off to a meeting in a few minutes but I will trawl through his published letters to see what I can find. In Oct 1914 he was with D Coy. 7th Rifle Brigade and was comissioned into E Brigade Heavy Artillery RGA, Woolwich. and at one point he comments on not having received a response to a request to be transferred back to the Infantry (Warwickshires) from the artillery. On 24th July 1916 he was at 4th Army school but by 27th was with 1st Warwickshires.

Kate

[robwilliams]

Terry,

2/Lt Hankey Donald William Alers. 1 Battalion. Died 12 October 1916 and is on Thiepval Memorial. Aged 31, son of Robery & Helen Alers of 1 Chesham Place, Brighton. Listed in Bham Daily Post on 21 October 1916 as 'killed'. He does not appear in either the 1914 Star or 1914-15 Star rolls for the Regiment.

It would appear that he did not serve long with the Regiment. I should have the Stand-To somewhere in the house and I have a copy of the book. Do you want me to look for any extra info?

Rob

[Terry Carter]

Thanks Kate and Rob

I just wanted to confirm he was with the 1st RWR. Someone I spoke to on the Somme last weekend was convinced he served with the 1/8th RWR. I knew he had not but I had no proof with me at the time.

He was killed, I believe, during an attack in the vicinity of Lesboefs.

Thanks again

Terry