Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Percy Montgomery Hanna was born on the 14 July, 1896, at Walwa, Victoria. Percy’s father was Joseph Hanna and his mother was Elizabeth, nee Clyde.

Percy enlisted on the 31 August, 1917, at Wangaratta, Victoria. Upon enlistment, he was a single, 21-year-old grazier from Walwa in Victoria. He stood 5 foot 10 inches (155 cm) and weighed 140 lbs (64 kg). His complexion was given as clear, eyes blue and hair dark brown. Percy’s records show that he had two vaccinations mark on his left arm. Percy’s religious denomination was given as Presbyterian. He was given the rank of Trooper, the service number 2499 and placed in the 21st Reinforcements for the 13th Light Horse Regiment.

Percy embarked on HMAT A71 Nestor on the 21 November, 1917, sailing from the Port of Melbourne. The trip would take him across the Great Australian Bight to Fremantle, on to Colombo, in Ceylon, before finally disembarking at Suez, at the southern end of the Suez Canal, in Egypt on the 15 December.

After some initial training at the Australian camps near Suez, Percy embarked on HMT Abbassieh on the 8 January, 1918, disembarking at Southampton in the south of England on the 24 January. Less than two months later Percy would be admitted to the Military Hospital at Tidmouth which was located close to the Army training grounds at Salisbury Plains in south-east Wiltshire.

Percy would be discharged from hospital ten days later and be sent to the Anzac Camp at Perham Downs. In mid-May of 1918, Percy proceeded overseas to France, eventually rejoining the 13th light Horse on the 14 August. After the Armistice, and early in 1919, Percy was attached for duty at the Australian Corp Headquarters. Before heading home in May, Percy was given a substantial leave period in the United Kingdom.

While Percy was in France, a letter from his parents at home in Australia to the Officer in Change of Base Records notes that the family was moving from their home at Bona Vista in Walwa, to 29 Wattletree Rd, Malvern. While his parents would move south to Melbourne, upon arriving home Percy would remain in the Upper Murray, residing at Mt Alfred.

Percy returned to Australia aboard HMT Ypiringa, arriving on the 15 May, 1919. He was finally discharged from the AIF on the 27 August, 1919. For his service during the war he was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Records indicate that Percy married Ruby (Nell) Ellen Donelan (1899 to 1997) on the 22 August, 1923. During their marriage they had 1 child, Gordon Hanna (1934 to 1990).

Electoral rolls place Percy and his family living at Hay, New South Wales. Percy passed away on the 22 June, 1993, after living for more than 100 years and was buried at Hay.

Extract from "Light Horsemen of the Upper Murray", Year 5 and 6 Project, Corryong College.