Captain Harold Stuart Hanson, son of Robert Stanley Hanson and Edith Amelia Southon, educated at Deloraine School and Winnipeg. During the Great War, he served in the Canadian Expeditionary Force, awarded the Military Cross, Distinguished Service Order and Mentioned in Despatches.
Captain Harold Stuart Hanson’s Early Life
Born 15 October 1891 in Deloraine, Manitoba, later became an auditor. At this time, he stood 5′ 10″ tall, 145 pounds, with fair complexion, brown eyes and hazel hair.
Harold Stuart Hanson enlisted as a Private 14970, 24 September 1914 in the 6th Battalion, with previous experience in the 34th Fort Garry Horse (later known as The Fort Garry Horse).
Lord Strathcona’s Horse
Mobilized at Valcartier on 14 August 1914, initially under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel A. C. MacDonnell. Left Quebec 29 September 1914 aboard BERMUDIAN, LAPLAND and MONMOUTH, and later arrived in England 18 October 1914.
Formed part of Canadian Cavalry Brigade on its formation on 2 February 1915, composed of Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, in addition, the Royal Canadian Dragoon, Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians) and 2nd King Edward’s Horse. Concentrated at Mansfield Park, Mansfield, Sussex, and later arrived in France (less the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery) on 6 May 1915 as a dismounted unit: known as Seely’s Detachment.
Private Harold Stuart Hanson treated for VDG, 7 December 1914, later discharged on 26 November 1914.
France
Pte Hanson landed in France, 9 June 1915, later joining unit in the field, 14 June 1915.
Lord Strathcona’s Horse restored to horses on formation in Canadian Cavalry Brigade later in September 1915.
Pte Hanson awarded 12 Days C C for while on active service, absent off Parade for a Waking Party, 2 December 1915.
In billets and tents near Dranoutre, Private Harold Stuart Hanson admitted to No 1 Canadian Field Ambulance, broken nose, 21 December 1915, later discharged to duty, 23 December 1915.
Harold granted 8 days leave to England, 8 April 1916, later returning to duty on 20 April 1916.
Pte Hanson admitted No 7 Canadian Field Ambulance, tonsilitis, 28 July 1916, and later discharged to duty the next day.
Private Harold Stuart Hanson admitted No 7 Canadian Field Ambulance, furuncle, 9 September 1916, and later transferred to 1st N Z Stat Hospital, Amiens, Bubo Right Groin, 14 September 1916. Transferred to No 6 General Hospital, Rouen on 21 September and later discharged to duty on 22 September 1916.
Pte Hanson admitted to Canadian Divisional Convalescent Hospital, Epsom Park, 3 November 1916, myalgia (shoulder), later transferred to Canadian Red Cross Special Hospital, Buxton, 30 November 1916. Finally, discharged to duty in England on 24 February 1917.
Commission
Private Harold Stuart Hanson To be Lieutenant, 21 August 1917, with the 11th Reserve Battalion, then, Hanson promoted to Temporary Lieutenant, 21 August 1917, with authorization by General Richard Turner.
Then the next month, Hanson SoS on appointment to Commission, 6 September 1917.
Return to France
Lt Hanson ToS as reinforcement to 43rd Battalion, and then proceeded overseas, 8 November 1917.
43rd Battalion, Cameron Highlanders of Canada
Organized in December 1914, initially under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel R M Thomson. Mobilized at Winnipeg, recruited in Winnipeg, and later embarked from Montreal 1 June 1915 aboard GRAMPIAN. Disembarked England 9 June 1915 with a strength of 40 officers, 998 other ranks, and later arrived in France 20 February 1916. 3rd Canadian Division, 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade, later reinforced by 14th Canadian Reserve Battalion.
Battle of Passchendaele
Lieutenant-General A W Currie visited the lines on 7 November 1917 and expressed his appreciation of the excellent work done by the battalion during operations at BLLEVUE SPUR and PASSCHENDAELE RIDGE on 26 October 1917, Major-General Lipsett visiting the next day, expressing the same.
To Intelligence Course, Lillers, 8 February 1918, later rejoining unit on 13 February 1918. Later, Hanson granted leave of absence to UK, 30 March 1918 to 3 April 1918.
Battlefield graves of Lieutenant Alexander Malcolm, in addition, Private James Strathearn Pollock 701191 ‘D’ Company, and Private Walter B Woodworth 415632, 43rd Infantry Battalion, Vimy Ridge, Thelus. Furthermore, we know this is the battlefield location of these soldiers, as Pollock (Plot IV, Row A, Grave 8) and Woodworth (Plot VI, Row B, Grave 4) no longer buried beside Malcolm (Plot IV, Row A, Grave 10) in Bois-Carre British Cemetery, Thelus.
Battlefield grave of Private John Walker Brebner 859652, 43rd Bn, July 1918, Vimy Ridge, Thelus, son of James and Elsie Walker Brebner of Schoolhouse, Bracoden, Gamrie, Scotland, in addition, husband of Elsie Fiddes Walker Brebner. Killed in action, 5 April 1917, later exhumed and buried in Plot VI, Row B, Grave 5 in Bois-Carre British Cemetery, Thelus .
Battle of Canal du Nord
Lieutenant Hanson commanding B Company during the Battle of Canal du Nord.
Promotion to Captain Harold Stuart Hanson
To be Acting Captain (Captain J A Crowe wounded), 2 September 1918, then, Lieutenant Harold Stuart Hanson promoted to Acting/Captain, on 22 September 1918.
Captain Harold Stuart Hanson to General Course, 1st Army School, 26 September 1918, later rejoined unit 5 November 1918.
Armistice
Captain Harold Stuart Hanson leave of absence to UK, 3 December 1918 to 17 December 1918.
Military Cross
Captain Hanson awarded the Military Cross, London Gazette No 31119, 11 January 1919, later that month on 22 January 1919, the Official Photographer, Lt William Rider-Rider reports and takes photo of Officers. Furthermore, Hanson appears to be the first man on the left in the second row.
Distinguished Service Order
Captain Harold Stuart Hanson MC awarded the DSO, 1 February 1919, London Gazette No 31158.
Then, Captain Harold Stuart Hanson MC DSO, proceeded to England, per HMTS LORINA, on 10 February 1919. Later examined at Bramshott, on 13 February 1919.
Presentation of Colours to 43rd Battalion by General Currie, Bramshott, 11 March 1919.
Then the battalion left the next day per SS BALTIC, from Liverpool, to return home to Canada, 12 March 1919. To be Temporary Captain, Harold Stuart Hanson, Manitoba Regiment, later on 24 March 1919, London Gazette No 31456.
Mentioned in Despatches
Captain Harold Stuart Hanson MC DSO Mentioned in Despatches, 11 July 1919 London Gazette No 31448.
Returning from military duty, Hanson then an accountant with the Winnipeg accounting firm of Macintosh, Cole & Robertson and made partner in 1921. He purchased the firm in 1926 and it operated as Black, Hanson & Company until 1948 when it amalgamated with Clarkson, Gordon & Company.
During the Second World War, Hanson inducted into the Order of the British Empire for his voluntary service with the Veterans Guard of Canada. In addition, a member of the Manitoba Club, United Service Club, St Charles Country Club, and Anglican church. Then in 1925, he lived at 508 Stradbrook Avenue, Winnipeg, and in 1931, he married Priscilla McBride (they had two daughters).
Captain Harold Stuart Hanson MC DSO OBE
Finally, Captain Harold Stuart Hanson MC DSO OBE died at Winnipeg on 9 January 1984.
