Douglas Ronald Maurice Hannay

Key Information

Name: Douglas Ronald Maurice Hannay
DoB: April 16 1897
Regt: Royal Marine Light Infantry no. PLY/1400S
DoD: Nov 7 1917
Academic Career: Ashby de la Zouch Grammar School; CGS 1912-4

Biographical Information:

  • Family Background:

    Douglas was the youngest of nine children born to John and Mary Hannay of Pouton, Garlieston, Wigtownshire. The Hannay family was long established in the area. His father had a farm of 320 acres and was an accountant too. Douglas however was born in Glasgow at his maternal grandparents’ home. His maternal grandfather William Cairney was a shipbroker. The family employed servants and had a governess for Douglas’ sisters. Three of his five sisters married within weeks of each other in 1918, they were all in their thirties.

  • Academic Record:

    In 1912 Charles Frederick Christian Padel was appointed as the Head Master of Carlisle Grammar School. He had been Head Master of Ashby de la Zouch Grammar School for the preceding three years.  Douglas Hannay and Robert de Glanville were two of at least five pupils who made the move to Carlisle from Ashby de la Zouch between 1912-3.

    Douglas was a member of the drama and debating societies.

  • War Service:

    Douglas joined The Royal Marine Light Infantry on February 15 1916. He embarked with the Royal Marine Brigade on July 12 1916, and was drafted to the British Expeditionary Force on the December 18 1916, just one month after qualifying as a saddler. He was at Calais base depot on the December 19 and in January 1917 was attached to the 8th Entrenching Battalion. In February 1917 he joined the 2nd Royal Marine Battalion and was briefly drafted as an orderly to the 188th Infantry Brigade before returning to the 2nd Royal Marine Battalion. He died on Passchendaele Ridge on November 7 1917. He was reported missing in the 1918 edition of The Carliol Magazine.

  • Battalion:

    Royal Marine Light Infantry

  • Other:

    He has no known grave but is commemorated on the Sorbie Parish War Memorial.

  • Sources:

    www.Ancestry.co.uk Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll 1914-19 & War Graves Roll

    Census:

    1861: Scotland Glasgow St David 24-12-17

    1881: Scotland Kirkinner 3-7-14

    1891: Scotland Sorbie 6-9-8

    1901: Scotland Glasgow Sandyford 18-19-2

    CGS Memorial Register