Name/Title
2020 - Captain Alfred 'Alf' Crawford Hannaford, MC & Bar (KIA October 3, 1918) - Framed presentation donated on behalf of the Hannaford FamilyDescription
Framed presentation display of Captain Alfred 'Alf' Craford Hannaford, Military Cross & Bar - 87th Battalion (Canadian Grenadier Guards), CEF donated on behalf of the Hannaford Family.
ABOUT CAPTAIN HANNAFORD:
AWARDED MILITARY CROSS FOR GALLANTRY AT VIMY RIDGE (1917)
POSTHUMOUSLY PROMOTED TO CAPTAIN AND AWARDED 2nd MILITARY CROSS
ONE OF MOST HIGHLY RESPECTED AND TRAINED SUBALTERNS OF 87th BN CGG DURING WW1
Source: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56583235/alfred-crawford-hannaford
https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/memorials/canadian-virtual-war-memorial/detail/178629
“In 1926, a memorial service was held at the Regimental Church, Christ Church Cathedral. The Guest of Honour was Major General Sir David Watson who had commanded the 4th. Cdn. Inf. Div., of which we were a part, in the Great War. Recalling the many exploits of our 87th. Bn. in that conflict, he singled out only one individual by name. That was Capt. Alfred Hannaford, for his courage and outstanding leadership in those infamous days in early April 1917 – namely his actions on Vimy Ridge, where he earned his first MC.’ CSM John Dolbec – Dolbec’s Corner
HANNAFORD, ALFRED CRAWFORD, MM & BAR – Captain (1895-1918) L/Cpl. 24th Bn / Capt. 87th Bn
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
b. 25 Apr. 1895, Montreal, PQ, CA d. 3 Oct.1918, France, Student – Church of England – 5ft 6in, Fair Hair Blue Eyes
1915 – 15 January – Attested with 24th Battalion, (Victoria Rifles of Canada), CEF as Private (Svc# 65412)
1915 – 11 May-Proceeded overseas to UK aboard SS Cameronia
1915 – 16 September – Proceeded overseas to France (Le Havre) aboard SS Archangel (St Petersburg)
1916 – 22 May – Wounded in Action – Shrapnel wounds to face and arm
1916 – 25 August – Promoted Lance Corporal in the field with 24th Battalion (VRC)
1916 – 10 September – Transferred to UK to complete Officer Training and appointed Lieutenant – 23rd Reserve Battalion
1916 – 28 November – Posted to 87th Bn (Canadian Grenadier Guards) CEF (1year 10 Months, 5 days)
1917 – 20 January – Completed CEF Signals Course
1917 – 10 February – Completed CEF 4th Division officers Training Course
1917 – 9 April – A Company 1st Wave Platoon Commander during Battle of Vimy Ridge (only CGG officer not to become a casualty)
1917 – 16 August – Awarded Military Cross for Gallantry for actions during Battle of Vimy Ridge (9 April) – (LG 30254)
MC Citation: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion in an attack with the enemy on three sides he consolidated a position, operating a Lewis gun himself, and maintained himself under heavy fire until relieved.”
1917 – 18 August – Attended Canadian 1st Army Training School
1918 – 19 January – Completed CEF/BEF Liaison Officer Course
1918 – 9 March – Completed Lewis Machine Gun Course
1918 – 22 June – Completed Musketry School training
1918 – 3 October – Injured in Action and died due to wounds – “During operations around Blecourt on September 30tth he was hit through the right hip, and whilst being carried to cover was hit again, this time through the right leg. His wounds were dressed the latter time by a brother officer, and he was being carried on a stretcher to the dressing station when a gas shell burst close by, gassing three of the party. They managed to get him to the Dressing Station and he was later evacuated to No22 Casualty clearing Station where he succumbed to his wounds three days later.”
1919 – 15 February – Posthumously awarded Bar to Military Cross (LG 31183)
Bar to MC Citation: “For conspicuous gallantry in command of a company from September 2nd/4th in the Dury-Arras sector. His company occupied line North East of Ecourt, St. Quentin, and was constantly and heavily shelled, and at night exposed to machine gun fire. During this period, he set a fine example to his men under the most trying conditions, and his reports to battalion headquarters were of great value in keeping touch with what was going on.”
1919 – 20 June – Posthumously promoted Captain with 87th Battalion (CGG)
One of 6 CGG members buried at Bucquoy Road Cemetery, Ficheux, Pas de Calais, FranceCreated By
Abdourahamane, IssaCreate Date
December 21, 2023Updated By
Lieutenant Michael Hayes-Rivet, retired.Update Date
July 28, 2026
