Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William George Hancock, a boot and shoe agent, born 1853 in Northampton and his wife Maud Mary Hancock (nee Cramp, married in the 3rd quarter of 1875 in the Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire district), born 1855 in Anstey, Leicestershire. Hooley was born in the 4th quarter of 1888 in Northampton, and was baptised on the 22nd September 1889 in Anstey, his siblings were, Nelly Cramp, a schoolgirl, born 1876, William Joseph Cramp, a schoolboy, born 1877, Frank Arthur, a schoolboy, born 1880, Ethel Maud, a schoolgirl, born 1882 and Edith Lydia, a schoolgirl, born 1886, all his siblings were born in Northampton, in April 1891 the family home was at The Green, Anstey. In March 1901 Hooley was residing in the family home at Suttington Road, Shepshed, Leicestershire, together with his father, a boot and shoe trade clicker and his mother. In April 1911 Hooley was absent from the family home at Woodgate, Rothley, Leicestershire, residing there was his father, a boot trade pressman and his mother. In the 2nd quarter of 1916 in the Blaby, Leicestershire district, Hooley married Mary Eleanor Robinson, who was born in 1887 in Hillmorton, Warwickshire. In the 2nd quarter of 1921 in the Wolverhampton, Staffordshire district, Hooley’s widow married Benjamin Potter, they latterly resided at 161, Murray Road, Rugby, Warwickshire
Hooley attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement (For the Duration of the War, with the Colours and in the Army Reserve.) on the 6th December 1915 in Leicester. He gave his home address as Stamford Street, Glenfield, his age as 27 years and 212 days and his trade or calling as clicker. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his father William Hancock of Stamford Street, Glenfield as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 8 inches in height and he had a chest measurement of between 34½ and 37½ inches. After attestation on the 6/12/15 in Leicester he was transferred as Private, service number 3/25935 to the Army Reserve. Mobilized on the 1/3/16. Posted to the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment on the 1/3/16. Posted to the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 5/3/16. Embarked from Folkestone to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 16/11/16. Transferred to the 12th Infantry Brigade Base Depot and posted to the 11th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 17/11/16. Posted to the 7th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 3/12/16. Joined the 7th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, in the field on the 5/12/16. Appointed unpaid Lance Corporal on the 1/3/17. Admitted to the 20th Casualty Clearing Station suffering from myalgia on the 3/5/17. Transferred to the 47th General Hospital at Le Treport on the 3/5/17. Transferred to the 3rd Canadian Hospital at Le Treport on the 9/5/17. Transferred to 12th Infantry Brigade Base Depot at Calais on the 15/5/17. Rejoined 7th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, in the field on the -?-. Admitted to 17th Casualty Clearing Station on the -?-. A summary of his service records: Home Service, 17/3/16 – 16/11/16. British Expeditionary Force, France, 17/11/16 – 5/11/17. Total service 1 year 250 days. Hooley was awarded the British War and Victory medals. On the 26th February 1918 the Officer i/c Infantry Records, Lichfield forwarded the following articles to Hooley’s widow, Mrs. M. E. Hancock, Stamford Street, Glenfield, Leicester. Disc. Letters. Photo’s. Religious Book. Purse. Wallet. Photo Case. Scissors. 9 Carat Gold Ring. Cigarette Lighter. Diary. Metal Chain and Disc. Cards. Lock of Hair. Souvenir Note. The following information was provided by Hooley’s widow Mary Eleanor Hancock on the 30th October 1919, and was witnessed and signed by -?-, Clerk in Holy Orders, Glenfield Rectory, Leicester on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Widow of soldier, Mary Eleanor Hancock of Stamford Street, Glenfield, Leicester. Children of soldier, none. Father of soldier, William George Hancock, of 145, Leicester Road, Mountsorrel. Mother of soldier Mary Maud Hancock of 145, Leicester Road, Mountsorrel. Details of full blood brothers and sisters are illegible. Hooley’s surviving service documents are in a very poor condition, and much of the finer detail relating to the period of time that he spent in the Army, is either illegible or missing, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Lance Corporal Hooley Hancock married Mary Eleanor Robinson 24 April 1916 at Glenfield Parish Church.

Submitted with photograph by C. Woolley (nee Hancock) in 2021