Hannah, John 32301 (1899 - 1918)

Private, 6th Bn. King's Own Scottish Borderers

Buried at St. Sever Cemetery, Rouen

Commemorated at Hillhead High School

Private John Hannah was the only son of Mr. and Mrs. John Hannah, 27 Ibrox Street, Ibrox. He received his early education in Parson's Green School, Edinburgh, and, after a short term in Ibrox School, Govan, he entered Hillhead High School with a Scholarship. There he completed the full secondary course of five years, gaining in his last session the Group Leaving Certificate. John Hannah was a pupil of marked ability and high promise, and gained several bursaries and prizes during his course. Games did not attract him, but he was an enthusiastic member of the Photographic Club, and all the time he could spare from studies he devoted to his favourite pastime.

He was a member of the Officers' Training Corps, and might have entered the Army with a commission, but he believed he would best qualify for leadership by serving for a term in the ranks. During his short course as a soldier he displayed a splendid spirit. He told the headmaster that he found soldiering an ideal life, and he had a word of praise for everything connected with his camp surroundings, for his comrades, his officers, his quarters, and his food.

He was only a short time in France, but he saw much heavy fighting. On the 16th December, 1917, he was wounded by shrapnel. His colonel, writing to the headmaster, said the wound was a slight one, and he hoped Private Hannah would soon be back to Blighty. This hope proved vain, as he passed peacefully away on the 7th January, 1918, in hospital at Rouen. He has left behind in the School many friends who will cherish the memory of his upright, obliging, courteous nature, and his high abilities.