Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A scarce post-War B.E.M. awarded to Petty Officer E. M. Hancock, Royal New Zealand Navy

British Empire Medal, (Military) E.II.R. (P.O. Edward M. Hancock, N.Z.14836 R.N.Z.N.) in Royal Mint case of issue, with contemporary newspaper cutting including image of recipient, edge prepared prior to naming, very fine £200-£300

B.E.M. London Gazette 1 January 1955.

Edward Maurice Hancock of ‘38 Crescent Road, Birkdale, was one of the most mystified of naval officers on Tuesday. He was sitting at lunch when the door bell rang and a Government priority cable was handed in. It was from the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Mr. S. G. Holland, who congratulated him upon the award made by the Queen of the British Empire Medal (Military Division).

“My first thought when I was given the cable,” he told the Visiter, “was that my leave had been cancelled. The news was as much a surprise to me as it has been to all my friends.”

Mr. Hancock last Saturday read the list of New Honours but had no idea that his own name should have been included.

The lateness of the intimation was due to the award having been notified to New Zealand first, as Petty Officer Hancock is attached at present to the New Zealand Royal Navy.

He joined the Navy when he was 15 and for seven years has been in the Survey Navy (part of the Royal Navy). His business is the making of sea charts, and for the past three years he has been on loan to the New Zealand Royal Navy for this same type of work. He has seen service in many parts of the world, including the Russian convoys, Japan and Crete. “Everywhere but South America,” to use his own words.

For the past eight years he has been a resident in Southport. He hails originally from Broadstairs, Kent, but married a Southport girl. His wife, Mary, was educated at St. Philip’s School and, as a Civil Servant, works at Smedley Hydro.

Mr. Hancock returns to the Royal Navy on February 1, and expects to be demobilised in the near future. His award comes as a happy birthday present, for tomorrow he is 31.’