Walter Hannam
Walter Henry Hannam | |
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Walter Hannam during the Australasian Antarctic Expedition (photograph taken by Frank Hurley) | |
Nationality | Australian |
Known for | member of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition |
Walter Hannam (1885–1965) was a wireless operator and mechanic on the Australasian Antarctic Expedition.
Biography
Hannam was born in 1885 in Burwood, New South Wales. He studied at the Sydney Technical College and was awarded a diploma in science. He was a founding member of the Wireless Institute of Australia.[1]
Hannam was selected as part of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition. He helped to set up the wireless equipment on the Macquarie Islands.[2] He is credited with being the first person to establish wireless contact with Australia from Antarctica.[3] He set up the wireless equipment at the main base and remained at Cape Denison as wireless operator for two summers and one winter.[4][1] On his departure in February 1913, Sidney Jeffryes took over his post as wireless operator.[5][1]
Hannam enlisted for service in World War I on 1 June 1915.[6] He served as an engineer in the Australian Motor Transport Corps and was discharged from service in 1919.[1]
After his war service, Hannam established an electrical business. He married Elizabeth Bielby in 1917. He died in 1965 in Terrigal.[3]
Honours
In 1914 he was awarded the Polar Medal for his work on the expedition. The Hannam Islands are named after him.[3]
References
- 1 2 3 4 "Walter Henry Hannam (1885–1965)". Australian Antarctic Division. Commonwealth of Australia. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
- ↑ "Walter Henry Hannam". Home of the Blizzard: the Australasian Antarctic Expedition. Commonwealth of Australia. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
- 1 2 3 "Walter Hannam". Local Studies blog. Manly Library. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
- ↑ Smyth, Mike (17 April 2013). "Radio’s polar pioneer". Critical Comms. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
- ↑ "Sidney Jeffryes". Home of the Blizzard: the Australasian Antarctic Expedition. Commonwealth of Australia. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
- ↑ HANNAM Walter Henry : Service Number - 6946 : Place of Birth - Burwood NSW : Place of Enlistment - Sydney NSW : Next of Kin - (Father) HANNAM W H, Series Number B2455, National Archives of Australia