Lt-Commander Oswald H Hanson, RNVR

[jim_davies]

Wondered if anyone has any information on the above officer.

Came across a newspaper article (23 Nov 1915) relating to the alleged execution of Hanson while a POW.

Basically the story relates that Hanson, captured at Antwerp was among a column of POWs being marched towards Halle during the night of 10 Oct 1914. Hanson apparently suffering from a delirum believed he either saw or heard British troops in the darkness ahead of him, called out to them warning them of the Germans.

Apparently "condemned and executed by the Germans" as a result of the above behavior.

Any thoughts?

Jim

[Coldstreamer]

Ive read articles about Coldstream POW being killed so quite possible

Worth noting the cemetery he is in has other POW graves but they are all much later in the war

[Hambo]

http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_detail...asualty=2959727

Here he is on CWGC which I imagine you have found already. I have checked the list of officers captured and his name is not there which is a shame, in fact no Benbows are listed and there were no RND men listed for 1914 either

[linge]

Oswald Hesketh Hanson is mentioned on the link below:

http://www.cwgc.co.uk/Hidden.htm

Pam

[horatio2]

There is a listing of Benbow (and other RND) POWs in Fevyer & Wilson's "1914 Star to RN & RM".

[jim_davies]

Thank you to all for the additional information, especially the link to the cwgc.co.uk site, the 2nd Times article is the one I'd seen.

Cheers,

Jim

[michaeldr]

Of interest may be the rest of Commodore Henderson's letter

continued from where it was left off in the link provided by Pam

"'He (Hanson) particularly wished to be remembered to you (this refers to Henderson, who is quoting to the Secretary of the Admiralty from a letter received from Lieutenant Commander F. C. Grover RNVR), and said how much he hoped that you would think that he had done his duty, and he sent many remembrances to the officers and men of his Battalion.

I write this because I feel sure that Their Lordships, if not already in possession of the details, would be glad to know something about this officers last moments. His death was apparently one of those cold-blooded military murders, of which we have already had too many instances.'

I call Their Lordships attention to the pathetic message to myself and his Battalion. His last thoughts were evidently not concerned with his own fate, but with what to him was a very much higher consideration viz. his duty. Lieutenant Hanson during the short time that I knew him, impressed me as being one of the most zealous and earnest officers in my Brigade. I felt his death, and still feel it, very deeply. Perhaps the gist of this letter of mine may be of some consolation to his relations."

The Commodore obviously respected this officer, however it is not clear if he was in full command of all the facts about the train incident and indeed it would take a court of inquiry to get nearer to the truth of that matter.

Oswald Hanson was educated at Marlborough and Trinity Hall, Cambridge. He was a lawyer in London, unmarried, and had served 10 years in the RNVR, Inns of Court OTC

[details from Len Sellers' magazine 'RND' issues Nos.4 and 10]

regards

Michael

[stevem]

Not much to add except that his name appears on a list of men who were captured up to and including December 1914 and who died in captivity, the list was compiled in connection with men eligible for the Christmas 1914 Princess Mary gift.

The details are as follows:

Hanson, Oswald H. Lieut. Commander Benbow Battalion. NOK Sister: Miss Hanson, 16 Bayswater Terrace, W.

Regards

Steve

[jim_davies]

Thanks to all for the enlightening information on Hanson, the RND in 1914 isn't an area I know much about so I've found this very interesting.

Jim

[neil1821]

Rank

Lieutenant Commander

Forename

Oswald Hesketh

Surname

Hanson

Service Branch

RNVR

Unit

Benbow Bn.

Date of Death

11/10/1914

Cause of Death

POW, executed (Shot) at midday 11/10/14 by the German Military Authorities (In connection with the attempted escape at Exaerde 10/10/14. Assaulted a German Guard who was about to fire on his men).

Service History

Commissioned Lieutenant Commander RNVR (London Division) 7/3/1912 ; Officer Commanding 'D' Company Benbow Bn. POW 9/10/14

Burial

Dendermonde (formerly Termonde) Communal Cemetery Extension (B 365)

Notes

ADM/137/4819 letter from Commodore Henderson 15/2/18 states evidence from Lieutenant Commander F.C. Grover RNVR Hawke Bn. "Poor Hanson was shot by the Germans on the 10th October 1914. He had struggled with a sentry who was about to fire on one of our own men trying to escape after we were taken prisoner on the night of the 9th, & under German Military Code such an act can be punished with death. I tried to get the sentence mitigated, & so did the Commandant of the troops guarding us, for it was evident that Hanson was overwrought by the fatigues of the previous days. The matter was referred to the highest authority; at that time, General von der Goltz was Military Governor of Belgium, but it was of no avail, & Hanson was shot at midday, & is buried by the Church at Exaerde. ; Next-of-Kin: Miss Hanson, 16 Bayswater Terrace, London W. ; 1914 Star issued to brother, Mr. Wilfred Hanson, 19/6/19.

[jim_davies]

Thanks Neil,

Jim

[rugbyremembers]

OH Hanson could well be one of my Rosslyn Park players, as an OHH appears in the m'ship records. Marlborough also closely connected to the club.

If indeed he is, he would be the 85th discovered death in Great war.