My grandfather John Graham served with the British army from 1914 until his death in Ypres, Belgium in 1917. Unfortunately, his body was never found. Before the war, he had immigrated to Lancashire, England from Ireland and was subsequently conscripted when the war broke out. He left behind a uniform arm band, a photograph of his regiment and letters. There are two letters from John to my grandmother dated 10th and 27th August, presumably just before he died. I also have a letter from my great-uncle, his brother, that he wrote at the YMCA training station in Youghal, Co. Cork in 1915, before he was to be shipped out to the Dardenelles. He was also killed while on board the HMS Victory, and his body was also never discovered. || The arm band from John's uniform ; A photograph of his regiment and letters ; Two letters from John to my grandmother dated 10th and 27th August ; A letter from his brother that he wrote at the YMCA training station in Youghal, Co. Cork in 1915

The Hanna family, who lived in East Dulwich, London, can be seen in one of the photographs. It shows my father (centre) and his three brothers, my uncles, who all fought in WW1. Arthur Edward Hanna (born 1888 Taunton – 1917 k.i.a) is standing top left while Francis Charles Hanna, or Frank (1885 Taunton – 1933 Arundel) is seated below him. My father Walter John Hanna (1891 Dulwich – 1960 Bath), who served in the Civil Service Rifles during WW1, losing an eye in Passchendaele, is in the centre. Hugh Hanna (1894 Dulwich – 1970 Frome), who won the Military Medal in WW1, is seated on the floor. My grandmother, Elizabeth Hanna, nee Horder (1856 Yeovil – 1944 Patcham) is seated left, while my aunt, Frances Hanna (1883 Tralee – 1977 Bath), is standing at the back.

Front || A publication about the life of John Hanningan