William Hanna
Sapper
L11 Motor Airline Section - Royal Engineers
Academic Achievement
Attaining a position as an "assistant engineer in the Chief Engineers Department of the Post Office in London" was no easy task as the rigors of the position required someone who was both technically and academically inclined (1). The youthful William Hanna of Whitehaven, England was one of the few who met both requirements and was happy to accept the position (1). He was an imposing figure, standing at some 6 feet, which was huge by the standards of the time. Though now in a position of prestige, he had come from humble beginnings in Northern England, being the son of a Scotswomen and a Northern Irishman, both of whom had come from rural towns. His father was an elementary schoolmaster and likely greatly encouraged Williams' focus on academics that would lead him from St. Bees in Whitehaven to Manchester University in 1907 (1).
The young Englishman graduated at the top of his class in engineering in 1910 and would go on to pursue his Masters of Science in 1911 (1). Like many other proud British academics, he became involved in the “University Officer Training Corps” and remained with them throughout his time at the University (1). Following his completion of his Masters, he would take the job in London where he served as part of the London Regiment's territorial component (1). Given his high level of education, it seemed rather unlikely the nation should need him for the many small actions fought across the Empire, his job being critical to keeping modern British society functioning. |
The eruption of war in 1914 was hardly something the young engineer could have foreseen and that December he made the choice to leave his comfortable job at the post office to serve. William was 23 years of age when he walked into the London Signal Service Training Center and volunteered. The Royal Engineers seemed like the best choice given the experience he had gained with communications from his profession as a chief engineer. This was recognized by military leadership who ensured William was soon qualified as an electrician and certified to serve overseas.
Telecommunications
William was shipped off to France in January of 1915 and would join the L11 Motor Airline Section (presumably part of the 115th Company). The certified electricians within the unit were very capable men, many of whom were fellow former post officer workers, allowing William to easily integrate into the formation. They spent their time setting up and repairing electrical telegraph lines, which allowed ease of communication and were critical to the coordination of units, especially during combat. Given the great lengths of wire, they were also frequently damaged, which kept William and the other sappers of L11 consistently busy and often within the range of enemy artillery.
On February 29th, 1916, William was called out to work in the vicinity of the Belgian town of Popringe. This village had become the logistical martialing point for the now infamous Ypres battlefield and was consistently overcrowded with men and equipment (2). The 6' Englishman did his best to help keep the telegraph lines in operation here, which was of critical importance given the unpredictability of this portion of the front (2). Such volatility would tragically stop the young sapper's work as he was killed well performing his duty that day. Among many killed in Poperinge, he was removed from the scene and laid to rest in the nearby military cemetery. His headstone stands among many in the town and is a reminder of the war and the futures it stole from the many brave and brilliant young men such as William Hanna.
Sources:
(1) Richardson, Pen. “William Hanna.” WW1 Centenary, The University of Manchester, www.ww1.manchester.ac.uk/roll-of-honour/william-hanna/.
(2) “Poperinge (Poperinghe).” Poperinge, Belgium, The Great War 1914-1918, www.greatwar.co.uk/ypres-salient/town-poperinge.htm.
(1) Richardson, Pen. “William Hanna.” WW1 Centenary, The University of Manchester, www.ww1.manchester.ac.uk/roll-of-honour/william-hanna/.
(2) “Poperinge (Poperinghe).” Poperinge, Belgium, The Great War 1914-1918, www.greatwar.co.uk/ypres-salient/town-poperinge.htm.