Pte Arthur Hannon 3058880 6th Canadian Reserve Battalion

 Pte. Arthur Hannon

6^th Canadian Reserve Battalion     

Regimental Number 3058880

Arthur James Hannon was born on January, 18^th, 1897, in Norwood, Ontario Township, Ontario to parents Robert and Hannah (Jones) Hannon.  The family farmed on Lot 4, Concession 6 in Dummer Township.

 Art was living in Norwood and working as a farmer when he was ordered called to report to the city of Peterborough on October 20^th 1917, under the Military Service Act to undergo a medical examination to assess fitness for military service.  Art was nearly 20 years of age and single.  A small man, he stood just over 5 foot 4 inches tall and weighed 115 pounds.  He sported a ruddy complexion, blue eyes and brown hair.   He was a Methodist and had no previous military service.

 Hannon passed his physical and was declared fit for service.  He went home to the farm and awaited the inevitable call that would later come on May 9^th 1918, to report for to Barrifield camp, Kingston, for military training.  Hannon arrived at the camp, but was immediately granted leave for the remainder of May, most likely to return home to plant the spring crop. 

 On June 1^st he returned to Barriefield, this time for 3 days, before again being sent home for two days, from the 4^th-6^th.  After this two delay leave, he returned to Barriefield for the remainder of June and July. During this time, Art entered Ongwanada Hospital in Kington suffering from shoulder pain.  After 6 days there he was transferred to Queen’s Hospital on July 11^th.  He told doctors that he had been kicked by a horse three years earlier, and had never had full use of his left arm ever since.  Hannon remained at the hospital for four days and after X-rays, Doctors did not find much wrong with his arm.  Even so, they suggested that an operation may see improvements.   Hannon declined and was discharged 9 days later, being described as in “perfect condition” and with the recommendation that he be allowed to return home and help with the haying.

It is unclear whether he returned home or stayed with his unit at Barriefield at this point, but the records do show that he travelled east to Halifax in early August.  He boarded the transport ship Kia Oro on August 10^th and began his voyage across the Atlantic.

 He arrived safely in England on the 25^th of August 1918 and marched to the Canadian training camp at Seaford.  There he joined the ranks of the 6^th Reserve Battalion, and awaited orders to transfer to a fighting unit already at the front.  Art would never make it to the battlefields, he remained in England until the end of the war, and soon after fell seriously ill.  He was admitted to the No.12 General Hospital in Bramshott on November 27^th for the mumps for just over two weeks.  He was only 2 months recovered when he was struck down with the Spanish Flu on the 4^th of February 1919, He spent a little over a month in hospital before being discharged. After only two months of better health, Art again entered an English hospital suffering from debility, this time spending two months in care before being discharged.

 Arthur sailed for Canada on June 23^rd 1919 and was later discharged on July 3^rd.  He returned to farm in Dummer.  

 Art Hannon Passed away in Peterborough, Ontario on April 27^th 1966.  He is buried in Norwood, Ontario.

 

Sources

Canada. "Military Service File of Arthur James Hannon McMurray." Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa: Record Group 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 4024 - 1. Item Number 444549.

Library and Archives Canada. Census of Canada, 1901. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada: Year: 1901; Census Place: Dummer, Peterborough (East/est), Ontario; Page: 6; Family No: 60.

Library and Archives Canada. Census of Canada, 1911. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada: Year: 1911; Year: 1911; Census Place: 21 - Dummer, Peterborough East, Ontario; Page: 5; Family No: 42.