Peterborough & The Great War

Biography

William was one of ten children born to William and Blanche Hannant (nee Kelter) who had their own farm in Honing.  On the 1911 Census, William was listed as a farm hand on his father’s farm.

Private Hannant initially served with the 2/5 Territorial Force Norfolk Regiment before  transferring to the Sussex Regiment, initially the 11^th Battalion and then the 16^th Battalion.  His exact movements remain unknown until his death in action on 21 September 1918,  at Templeux Switch.  The severity of the battle is reflected in the following extracts from the Battalion War Diary for this day.  ‘The Battalion fought throughout with the greatest gallantry and innumerable cases of exceptional gallantry occurred but very few witnesses remained to give evidence of them… this was a very bad day for the Battalion.  Only 3 Officers and 31 O.R.s got back to our lines in the first instance though several stragglers turned up later.’

William’s name is recorded at the Vis-en-Artois Memorial, Harcourt near Arras, suggesting that his body was never found.  He was 25 years old.  He is also commemorated on the War Memorial in his home village of Honing, Norfolk.

Please get in touch if you can tell us anything more about William.