Christopher Hanby was born on the 30th July 1894, at Front Street, Shotton, Durham, the eldest child of nine [3 died], of John Blackbird Hanby, born 1871, Shotton, Limestone Quarryman, died on the 11th March 1959, and his wife Hannah Marie[Annie] [nee Levett], born 1875 Haswell, who were married in 1892.

Christopher was the eldest brother of John Blackbird Hanby, who was killed in 1918.

John Blackbird Hanby, senior born 1871, died on the 11th December 1912, and his wife Sarah, born 1852 Salford, died 27th November 1901. They were running the 'Commercial Inn' public house at Shotton.

Christopher was one of seven children, John Blackbird Hanby born 1897, George Hanby born 1899, Eveline born October 1900, Sarah Hannah born 1908, [Sarah married a Robinson Sanderson], Frederick born September 1910, and Walter born 1905, all born in Shotton.

Christopher was a Coal Miner working for the Horden Colliery Company Ltd. He worked there since the age of 14. By 1911 the family had moved to Fleming Field, in Shotton.

Christopher attested on the 10th December 1915, but he was part of the 'Derby' scheme, so he did not enlist until the 1st March 1916 at West Hartlepool.

He was 5 feet 9 3/4 inches high, C of E, and was 21 years and 10 and a half month old.

He was enlisted into the 22nd (Service) Battalion the Durham Light Infantry (3rd County) Pioneers. Service number 22/1069.

The 22nd left Catterick Bridge on the 16th of June for Southampton, and arrived at Le-Havre on the 17th June early in the morning. They were taken by train to Frechencourt, which is about 2 miles north of the Albert-Amiens road, in the Somme area. Then on June 20th moved again to Bavelincourt northwards. By the 30th of June they were at Millencourt.

'B', 'C' and 'D' companies moved forward to consolidate the ground won, but the attack of the 8th Division, around Ovillers and La Boisselle was met with indifferent success. On the 2nd July the Battalion was relieved by the 5th South Wales Borderers.

On the 14th October the battalion arrived at Citadel Camp, 'D' Company were ordered to work at Montauban to work on the roads. The HQ and 'B' Company were moved on the 20th October to Waterlot Farm. On October 23rd the companies were each given a different task. 'C' Company reached Brigade HQ's at 7.30pm on the right of the line. They were taken by guides to 'Spectrum Trench' which was astride the Gueudecourt-le Transloy road.

At 2.35pm the attacking infantry went forward and 'C' Company followed the second wave. 'Zenith trench' was clear of effective Germans and the company started to dig two communication trenches back to the old front line.

The 22nd DLI moved from Strazeele on June 11th 1917 to Ypres arriving on the 15th. In the Zillebeke sector the companies started to dig two new communication trenches. 'A' and 'C' Companies were located at Swan Chateau west of the Ypres-Comines canal. 'C' Company was employed in building a new light railway to run south of Hell Fire Corner, on the Menin Road forward to the line. On July 7th an officer and 10 Casualties were caused by constant German fire.

It was around this time that Christopher was wounded and gassed by Mustard Gas, which stopped work to the companies activities. Also men from the 1/7th Durham Light Infantry, [about 80] also came as reinforcements. On July 13th 'C' Company withdrew to a camp about 8 miles north-west of Poperinghe for a course of light railway construction.

He had been attached to the 180th Tunnelling Company Royal Engineers from the 22nd July 1917.

Formed at Labuissiere in Autumn 1915, and moved into the Vermelles sector. It was engaged in constructing saps and trenches, in addition to much carrying work, during the Battle of Loos. Moved to the Givenchy area, and relieved there in early 1916 by 255th Company. In March 1918, the Company acted as emergency infantry, fighting a defensive action near Ronssoy before withdrawing to Hamelet. The Company did much work in Albert during the great advance to victory, repairing all kinds of works and removing unexploded charges and mines. They did the same in Epehy in November 1918.

He was invalided home and was in Ripon Military Hospital suffering from Shellshock, in his application for a pension, he describes what happened to him. In July 1917, the man states that whilst working [laying light railway] he was buried.. (under?) an exploding shell. He was invalided to High Barnet War Hospital London where he was undertreatment [for] five weeks. Examined Military Hospital Ripon 27/10/17.

Because of his serious wounds he was recommended to be discharged as permanently unfit. He went in front of a Medical board on the 5th November 1917. Case number 1033.

Some of the conditions mentioned in his medical examination was Emotionalism and sleeplessness…of body generally aggravated movements. Reflexes exaggerated of any organic nervous lesion, Gas conjunctivitis's, though this was not attributed or aggravated to his shellshock condition.

They concluded that his disability was not permanent and recommended him for re-examination in twelve months time. The main cause was the exploding shell. The pension award later granted to him by the Ministry of Pensions, the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, SW2. was adjudged to be classed as 40% for twelve months. He was awarded 27/6 for 9 weeks then 13/9 to be reviewed in 17 weeks time. This was dated 12th January 1918. His discharge [5964], was dated the 28th December 1917, under K[ings].R[egulations] Para 392, XVI shellshock.

He was awarded a Silver Award badge no 342027 and certificate on the 12th April 1918. Disability Shell shock.

[One of his injuries described, as a result of this was exaggerated reflexes].

Christopher Hanby in the 1939 register is residing at 4 Fleming Field, Shotton. Born 30th July 1894 he is living with his wife Ellen [nee Wilson], born the 15th October 1891, who he married in 1921. The couple had 4 children, Marion, born 1921, John B. born 21st November 1923, Connie born 1925 and Christopher born 17th January 1927.

Panorama Film of La Boisselle 2012 excavation
History of the Silver War Badge