John Hannah (VC)
| John Hannah | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
27 November 1921 Paisley, Scotland |
| Died | 7 June 1947 (aged 25) Markfield, Leicestershire |
| Buried at | St Jame's Churchyard, Birstall, Leicestershire |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom
|
| Service/branch |
 Royal Air Force
|
| Years of service | 1939 - 1942 |
| Rank | Flight Sergeant |
| Service number | 652918 |
| Unit | No. 83 Squadron |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Victoria Cross |
John Hannah VC (27 November 1921 – 7 June 1947) was a Scottish 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.
Born in Paisley and educated at Bankhead Primary School and Victoria Drive Secondary School, Glasgow, Hannah joined the Royal Air Force in 1939. After training as a wireless operator was promoted to sergeant in 1940. He was attached to No. 83 Squadron, flying Handley Page Hampden bombers as a wireless operator/gunner. He was 18 years old, making him the youngest recipient of the Victoria Cross for aerial operations (and the youngest for World War II), and a sergeant in No. 83 Squadron, Royal Air Force during the Second World War.
On 15 September 1940 over Antwerp, Belgium, after a successful attack on German barges, the Handley Page Hampden bomber (serial P1355) in which Sergeant Hannah was wireless operator/air gunner, was subjected to intense anti-aircraft fire, starting a fire which spread quickly. The rear gunner and navigator had to bail out and Sergeant Hannah could have acted likewise, but instead he remained to fight the fire, first with two extinguishers and then with his bare hands. He sustained terrible injuries, but succeeded in putting out the fire and the pilot was able to bring the almost wrecked aircraft back safely.
The announcement and accompanying citation for the decoration was published in supplement to the London Gazette on 1 October 1940, reading
'The KING has been graciously pleased to confer the VICTORIA CROSS on the undermentioned officer in recognition of most conspicuous bravery :-
652918 Sergeant John Hannah :-
On the night of 15th September, 1940, Sergeant Hannah was the wireless operator/air gunner in an aircraft engaged in a successful attack on an enemy barge concentration at Antwerp. It was then subjected to intense anti-aircraft fire and received a direct hit from a projectile of an explosive and incendiary nature, which apparently burst inside the bomb compartment.
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