Born and enlisted in Newcastle. Son of Peter and Mary Hanney of 12 Prospect Terrace, East Boldon. Brother and sister-in-law: Peter and Jennie. Brother and sister-in-law: John and Marion.
He had formerly served in the Northern Cyclists' Battalion with Service Number 1594.
E Battalion deployed 35 tanks at the start of the battle; by the afternoon of 20th November, 18 had been destroyed or disabled by enemy action, one was ditched and further 9 were unserviceable due to technical difficulties.
29 of the Battalion were dead, 31 were missing and 64 were wounded. No tanks were in action on the 21st November and only 11 were used on the 23rd in support of the attack in the area of Moeuvres.
Robert died of wounds 22nd November 1917, age 29.
The War Memorials and the Shields Gazette entry show his name as Hannay, when in fact his surname was Hanney
Source: James Hoy archive
Further research:James Pasby
Robert Hanney is remembered at Jesmond on J1.35, and at South Shields onS86.022 and S86.044
