Ralph Hancock - A Brief History

A Brief History

Clarence Henry Ralph Hancock was born at 20 Keppoch Street, Cardiff, Wales on 2 July 1893. His father Clarence Hancock worked for a company known as Evans and Hancock who were Auctioneers and Estate Agents based at Borough Chambers, Wharton Street, Cardiff. In 1917 Ralph married Hilda Muriel Ellis (known as Muriel) and moved to Augusta Road, Penarth, Wales.

Their first son, Clarence Neville Bramley Hancock (Bramley), was born in 1918 followed by their second son Denys, also born in Penarth in 1920. At this time Ralph's occupation was a Marine and General Insurance Broker working from James Street, Cardiff. What prompted his career change is unknown, however in 1926 he became a Fellow of the Royal Horticultural Society.

Ralph and his family moved to Downside Road, Sutton, Surrey, England and in 1928 a daughter, Sheila Muriel was born. It was from here in 1927 that Ralph undertook the first of his more famous garden projects, designing and constructing a rock and water garden for H.R.H Princess Victoria at her home 'Coppins' in Iver, Buckinghamshire. Ralph was reported to be extremely proud of the garden and HRH presented Ralph “a little diamond and sapphire tie pin” one of his most treasured possessions. The main influences of this period was William Robinson and Gertrude Jekyll and Ralph incorporated this "arts and crafts movement" into his designs.