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From Australian Remembrance Army

Trooper Timothy George Hannan (Service No. 847), an Australian World War One veteran, is among almost 800 previously unmarked WWI veterans’ graves in Lutwyche Cemetery we have now marked with a plaque recognising their service for Australia.

We unveiled his plaque in Lutwyche Cemetery on 15 April 2023, along with a further 246 plaques on the previously unmarked graves of Australian World War One veterans:
See Australian Remembrance Army Facebook page

Timothy George Hannan was born on 21 August 1873 in Maitland, New South Wales, to William Hannan and Ann Hannan (née Byrne). He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in Roma, Queensland, on 26 November 1915, stating his age as 39 years when he was in fact 42. He was assigned to the 11th Light Horse Regiment (2nd Reinforcements). He joined his unit in Egypt in December 1915 and was taken on strength at Heliopolis. Within his first weeks overseas, he was admitted to hospital with debility, followed by multiple entries for dysentery, general sickness, and eventually malaria, which became a recurring condition throughout his service.

From late 1915 through 1916, his records show continuous movement through hospitals and convalescent depots at Alexandria, Cairo, Helouan, Montazah, Moascar, and Serapeum. Diagnoses included dysentery, debility, malaria, and other non-battle illnesses. He temporarily joined the 4th Light Horse Training Regiment in May 1916, but repeated medical issues led to further hospital admissions over the remainder of the year.

In 1917, Hannan’s service continued to be dominated by illness. He was treated for dysentery, malaria, and a severe boil, with records noting multiple admissions to hospitals and rest camps. In August 1917 he was taken on strength of the 11th Light Horse Regiment, but further medical relapses required additional treatment in Abbassia, Helouan, and Moascar.

Throughout 1918, his health declined further. He was admitted to medical facilities at Port Said, the Jerusalem Rest Camp, El Khas, and again at Moascar, where the cumulative effect of chronic malaria and gastrointestinal illness prevented further effective service. By late 1918 he was classified as medically unfit.

He returned to Australia in July 1919 aboard the Morvada and was formally medically discharged on 29 October 1919, with chronic malaria and dysentery cited as the principal causes.

Following his return to Australia, records place him in Mitchell, Queensland, in 1921, where he worked as a well borer, and in Katherine, Northern Territory, in 1928, working as a labourer. From 1937 to 1943 he was living in Darwin, Northern Territory, employed once again as a well borer.

Trooper Timothy George Hannan died on 28 July 1943, aged 69, and was buried three days later in Anzac Portion 7, Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane. He was a single man who never married and had no known.

After decades without recognition at his place of burial, his grave now bears a plaque commemorating his service to Australia — ensuring his name endures among those remembered for their duty and sacrifice. His identity and dignity have now been restored.

We have remembered him.
Lest We Forget.