Alfred Hancock was one of three brothers who played for Cessnock and also enlisted for the war. In August 1915, Alfred was representing Cessnock in the Kerr Cup final against Merewether. A week later he enlisted. On 25 July 1917, the Newcastle Morning Herald reported “Hancock returned some time back, after having had, as he put it, ‘a rough passage’.” On 18 August 1916, Private Hancock suffered a gunshot wound to the side of his chest. He was transferred to England and then invalided.
He departed England for Australia on 13 February 1917. Alfred Hancock returned to represent Cessnock in 1918 and 1919.