My
fathers full name was Herbert (Herbie) Raymond Hanley. His number was 1456641. His rank with the 8th was Gunner.
Date of Birth was 17th October, 1919. He died May 2nd, 1987 in Belfast.
He enlisted at Dunmore Park Stadium on 27th April, 1939. He was formally
called up on September 3rd, 1939. He remained in the UK, including training in Cornwall until 19th December, 1939.
He was with the B.E.F from 20th December, 1939 to 25th June, 1940. Please
note - his mother received a "missing in action" telegram at that time, as he did not leave France until a number of days after the evacuation.
Such confusion!
26th June, 1940 - 28th May, 1942 he was stationed throughout Britain (Bolton, Dudley, and Dundee are some of the towns he was stationed at).
When Singapore fell on 14th February, 1942, he was actually at Southampton Docks waiting to ship out for action there. Instead, he
shipped out to India (from Clydebank, Scotland) on 31st May, 1942 (via Durban) and was there from 29th May, 1942 to 28th May, 1944.
He went through O.C.T.U. in 1943 and on 27th May, 1944 he was formally discharged from the British Army in Bombay.
From 1944 until the end of the war, he was a Lieutenant with the Indian Army (the 26th Division).
With the Indian Army he took part in the Ramree Island invasion. He sustained hearing loss (the big guns did that to you) and shrapnel
wounds but like a lot of those guys, never talked much about the
"whens" and "hows".
I was going to send you a scan of the photograph with Winston Churchill in it. However, I see you have already got that photo posted on your
site (assorted clippings
1) see below. I can however, identify more of the soldiers on duty in that shot - you currently have Jimmy Mearns
identified but there are three more names I can add for you. James Mearns is the small figure standing in the doorway wearing glasses. The
soldier standing next to him, shown between Lady Churchill and Sir Winston
Churchill is my dad Herbie Hanley. He is outlined by the white pillar. The
soldier standing to my dad's right, with his back to the window is Brian
Munn (who was my godfather and actually first met my dad at the age of five at Finaghy Primary School!) And then the soldier on Brian's right
side, standing in the big doorway is Tommy Reynolds. Tommy was dispatch rider on a motor bike while in service with the 8th and afterwards was a
comedian (professional) and my dad loved his humour. His wife was called
Pearl and I think he met her during the war as she was in the services. James Mearns was with my dad the night he met my mum on the Dundee Ice
Rink (March 6th, 1942). Love was in the air!
I've scanned a second photograph as I believe it was taken sometime between May 1942 and May 1944 in India. My dad is on the left (standing)
but I can't identify anyone else, except I think my dad told me the man standing on the far right was his commanding officer. Perhaps someone
can help identify the others? .... Stephanie Loney (daughter)
James Mearns is the small figure standing in the doorway wearing glasses. The soldier standing next to him, shown between Lady Churchill and Sir
Winston Churchill is my dad Herbie Hanley. He is outlined by the white pillar. The
soldier standing to my dad's right, with his back to the window is Brian
Munn. And then the soldier on Brian's right side, standing in the big doorway is Tommy
Reynolds |
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One lovely evening late in May,
A ship sailed out from Gourock Bay,
And from her deck I said "Farewell"
To the rugged shores I love so well.
No sweethearts lined the harbour
shore,
As when our fathers went to war,
We sailed in silence from the Clyde,
Those dreadful seas of war to ride.
'Old Blighty' slowly sank from view,
Left only the gulls to say 'adieu';
And even they seemed loathe to part,
As they wheeled for the land that holds my heart.
To port and starboard, fore and aft,
Rode England's finest fighting craft,
'Come foemen all' they seemed to say,
Just as they did in Nelson's day.
But from the depths no challenge came,
They slunk away to hide in shame,
Till darkness fell, when they might find,
Some harmless ship left far behind.
The thirteenth day of sunny June
Saw anchors down in a blue lagoon,
Where waving palms and golden sand
Smiled a welcome from a peaceful land.
Six lovely tropic scented nights,
We thrilled to the sight of harbour lights,
For as yet these mountains of Leone
Were free from the dreaded bombers drone.
From Freetown, southward bound again,
We ploughed our way across the main,
With 'Rodney' sailing on our right,
Whilst on our left rode 'Nelson's' might.
Two days out there came on board,
A revered friend and mighty lord,
'Old Neptune' king of all the seas,
Had come to give us our degrees. |
At his command his minions rose
With lather brush and streaming hose,
And dished it out to all on deck,
From greenhorn down to leatherneck.
Came a day when every eye
Watched a greyhound passing by,
A beauty with a royal name
'Queen Mary' of blue riband fame.
No longer where her colours gay,
From stem to stern her hull was grey,
She'd given grace and dignity
To the noble cause of liberty.
July the fourth brought joy to all,
As we glimpsed our second port of call,
In single line we came from sea,
To Durban, the city of gaiety.
I doubt if I shall e're forget,
Those smiling faces black as jet,
As in their childish simple way,
They begged for coins upon the quay.
Through the springbok town we marched
along,
With jaunty steps and an Irish song.
Past the 'Warriors Gate' to kingsmead turf,
A mere stones throw from the roaring surf.
Ten days I packed with countless
thrills,
And a trip to the valley of a thousand hills,
Where dwell the happy native folk,
Unfeted yet by the wars grim yolk.
Again we sailed with deep regret,
But 'twas a lonesome cause we set,
Due East, then North across the line,
The old 'Brittanic' ploughed the brine.
With thankfulness we saw at last,
Our journeys end was nearing fast,
'India's Gateway' strong and true,
Arose at last from out the blue.
Mr. H. Grist
(The Fourteen Army, Burma)
40 Ferris Mead,
Warminster. |