Robert Hill Hanna

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Photo by Terry Macdonald

Robert Hill Hanna(VC) (August 6, 1887 - June 15, 1967), was an Irish born recipient and likewise a naturalised immigrant Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

He was 30 years old, and a Company Sergeant-Major in the 29th (Vancouver) Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 21 August 1917, at Hill 70 Lens, France, Company Sergeant-Major Hanna's company met with most severe enemy resistance at a heavily protected strong point, which had beaten off three assaults and all the officers of the company had become casualties. This warrant officer, under heavy machine-gun and rifle fire, coolly collected and led a party against the strong point, rushed through the wire and personally killed four of the enemy, capturing the position and silencing the machine-gun. This courageous action was responsible for the capture of a most important tactical point.

He was British and lived some of his life in the Mountains of Mourne in Northern Ireland. He was born near Hanna's Close in Kilkeel, County Down and still has many members of family remaining in the area. To this day he is thought of in Kilkeel and his personal sword is on the wall of Kilkeel British Legion club. He later achieved the rank of Lieutenant. He died Mount Lehman BC Canada 15 June 1967. Grave/memorial: Buried at the Masonic Cemetery, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada. Plot 49. Section C. Grave 2. Headstone.