Clarence Henry Ralph Hancock was born at 20 Keppoch Street, Cardiff, Wales on 2 July 1893.  The eldest of three brothers.  Charles,  born in 1896 and Edward (Ted) in 1905.  The three brothers are pictured right.

Their father, Clarence Hancock  Senior,  worked for a company known as Evans and Hancock who were Auctioneers and Estate Agents based at Borough Chambers, Wharton Street, Cardiff.  He is seen here with his wife Clara and possibly their grandson, David (son of Charles).

In 1915, aged 21 years and 1 month, Ralph was called up for military service. He was to serve in the Great War with the Welsh Brigade of the Royal Field Artillery. On 19 December 1915 he was promoted from the rank of Private to that of 2nd Lieutenant. But by 25 September 1916 he had been invalided out of the regiment and awarded a Silver War Badge.

In 1917, the now 24 year old Ralph married 20 year old  Hilda Muriel Ellis (known as Muriel) at All Saints Church, Penarth.  Their first son,  Clarence Neville Bramley Hancock (Bramley),  was born in 1918. He was followed by a second son, Denys Hallen, also born in Penarth in 1920.  At the time Ralph’s occupation was listed as a Marine and General Insurance Broker working from James Street, Cardiff.  What prompted his career change is unknown,  however in 1926 he paid his two guinea membership fee and became a Fellow of the Royal Horticultural Society.

At the same time, Ralph and his family moved to 'Letchworth', 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 and also an Iris garden for H.R.H Princess Victoria at her home “Coppins” in Iver,  Buckinghamshire. 

Seen left are Ralph with sons, Bramley and Denys.

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 were William Robinson  and Gertrude Jekyll and Ralph incorporated this "arts and crafts movement" into his designs.

 The rock, water and iris garden that Ralph built for H.R.H. Princess Victoria.

The image, taken from the 1935 edition of 'When I Make a Garden', was signed by the Princess who can be seen standing on the rustic bridge in the middle of this picture.