Lives of the First World War

known 24th December 1915

As briefly reported in our last issue, Private James Alfred Hanna, Royal Fusiliers, eldest son of Mr David Hanna, florist, Market Place, Macclesfield, died in the Royal Herbert Hospital, Woolwich, from wounds sustained in the fighting at Loos, France, on October 28th. Private Hanna was employed at a nursery in Middlesex, and shortly after the outbreak of war, joined the Royal Fusiliers (9th Battalion). After some months’ training he was drafted out to France, and saw six months’ heavy fighting. He was in the battle of Loos, being one of four in his platoon who came through that engagement. Shortly after being relieved, a shell burst over them as they got to the last trench. Two of the party were killed outright, and the other two, including Private Hanna, were very severely wounded. Private Hanna sustained injuries to the face, neck, both arms, chest and legs. He was brought to hospital at Woolwich, where … his father visited him several times. Three weeks ago there were hopes of a recovery, but after undergoing an operation he became worse and died last week. Private Hanna was 23 years of age and was educated at Crompton Road and Mill Street schools. He was the seventh old boy of the last-named school to lay down his life on the field of honour. Mr T H Hewitt (headmaster) has written a letter of sympathy to his father, who has promised a photo of private Hanna for the school heroes’ gallery. Deceased was a member of the Parish Church Men’s Bible Class and a regular attender at the Parish Church. The remains of Private Hanna were conveyed to Macclesfield on Saturday night, and interred, with military honours, at the Borough Cemetery on Monday afternoon.

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