Our People - George Hankins

14 October 1916
#P/190 (Acting) Lance Corporal George Hankins
Base, Military Mounted Police, Military Police Corps
Died 14 October 1916
Salonika (Lembet Road) Military Cemetery, Greece. Ref: 585
George Harkins was born in Walworth, enlisted in Preston and lived in Leyland. The narrative below is from the Corps of Military Police website. It would appear, then, that George was a new recruit - he was acting lance corporal at the time of his death.
MILITARY MOUNTED POLICE. History and Traditions. The Corps of Military Mounted Police is recruited by transfers from the Cavalry of the Line. Only men of good characters with one good conduct badge and at least four years service are accepted, and are not finally transferred until after a probationary period of six months. There are no privates in the corps, all men on transfer being appointed lance-corporal. Detachments are stationed in garrison towns at home, and in some stations abroad, a large detachment being stationed in Egypt, for the purpose of maintaining order amongst soldiers. At home their duties are confined to policing garrison towns, but on foreign, and particularly on active service, their duties are far more important. A Provost Marshall is usually appointed who has power to arrest and detain for trial persons subject to Military Law committing offences, but he cannot inflict punishment on his own authority. Firm in the execution of their duty, their tact and good judgement in dealing with cases which come under their notice is appreciated by all ranks of the service. NICKNAME:- The Red Caps.
A memorial service was held in Leyland on 26 October 1916.
MEMORIAL SERVICE. - On Thursday evening a memorial service to Lance-Corporal James Catterall, King's Liverpool Regiment, killed in action on Sept. 16th; Sergt. Sydney Bretherton, King's Liverpool, killed in action on Oct. 7th; and Corporal George Hankin, Military Mounted Police, died from fever at Salonika, was held at the Leyland Parish Church. There was a good number present, the service being conducted by the Rev. F. E. Hutchinson. Special hymns were sung, and the Dead March was played by the organist, Mr. A. Goldsborough. PRESTON HERALD, Saturday 28 October, 1916.
George is remembered on two Leyland memorials - the Church Road Civic War Memorial and the St.Andrew's C.E. WW1 Plaque. He was awarded the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
George Harkins headstone in the Lembet Road Cemetery
Corps of Military Police 
CWGC George Hankins
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