BIRSTALL (ST. JAMES) CHURCHYARD
Leicestershire
England
Picture used with the permission of the CWGC
652918 Flight Sergeant John Hannah, V. C.
Royal Air Force, died 7th June 1947, aged 25.
Son of James and E.V. Hannah; husband of Janet L. Hannah, of Birstall. His brother Charles Hannah also died on service.
Citation: The following details are given in the London Gazette of October 1st, 1940 : On the night of September 15th, 1940, Sgt. Hannah was the wireless operator/air gunner in an aircraft engaged in a successful attack on enemy barge concentrations at Antwerp. A direct hit from an explosive projectile, which burst inside the bomb compartment, started a fire which quickly enveloped the wireless operator's and rear gunner's cockpits while both port and starboard petrol tanks had been pierced, enhancing the danger. The rear gunner and the navigator had to leave the aircraft, and Sgt. Hannah could have done so too, but he remained to fight the fire with extinguishers, and when these were empty he beat at the flames with his log book. Despite some relief from his oxygen supply, the intense heat and fumes from the thousands of rounds of exploding ammunition almost blinded Sgt. Hannah and his face and eyes were badly burned. Nevertheless he succeeded in extinguishing the fire enabling the pilot to bring the aircraft safely to its base. This airman displayed courage, coolness and devotion to duty of the highest order.
Other Burial Details
14076489 Private Walter John Thomas Cave, General Service Corps, died 4th May 1946.
1026501 Leading Aircraftman Clarence Greasley, 901 (Balloon Squadron), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 6th November 1943, aged 36. Son of Frederick Parker Greasley and Emily Greasley, of Birstall husband of Florence Dorothy Greasley, of Birstall.
Royal Air Force, died 7th June 1947, aged 25.
Son of James and E.V. Hannah; husband of Janet L. Hannah, of Birstall. His brother Charles Hannah also died on service.
Citation: The following details are given in the London Gazette of October 1st, 1940 : On the night of September 15th, 1940, Sgt. Hannah was the wireless operator/air gunner in an aircraft engaged in a successful attack on enemy barge concentrations at Antwerp. A direct hit from an explosive projectile, which burst inside the bomb compartment, started a fire which quickly enveloped the wireless operator's and rear gunner's cockpits while both port and starboard petrol tanks had been pierced, enhancing the danger. The rear gunner and the navigator had to leave the aircraft, and Sgt. Hannah could have done so too, but he remained to fight the fire with extinguishers, and when these were empty he beat at the flames with his log book. Despite some relief from his oxygen supply, the intense heat and fumes from the thousands of rounds of exploding ammunition almost blinded Sgt. Hannah and his face and eyes were badly burned. Nevertheless he succeeded in extinguishing the fire enabling the pilot to bring the aircraft safely to its base. This airman displayed courage, coolness and devotion to duty of the highest order.
Other Burial Details
14076489 Private Walter John Thomas Cave, General Service Corps, died 4th May 1946.
1026501 Leading Aircraftman Clarence Greasley, 901 (Balloon Squadron), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 6th November 1943, aged 36. Son of Frederick Parker Greasley and Emily Greasley, of Birstall husband of Florence Dorothy Greasley, of Birstall.
