Walter Hannam

Walter Henry Hannam

Walter Hannam during the Australasian Antarctic Expedition (photograph taken by Frank Hurley)
Nationality Australian
Known for member of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition

Walter Hannam (1885–1965) was a wireless operator and mechanic on the Australasian Antarctic Expedition.

Biography

Hannam was born in 1885 in Burwood, New South Wales. He studied at the Sydney Technical College and was awarded a diploma in science. He was a founding member of the Wireless Institute of Australia.[1]

Hannam was selected as part of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition. He helped to set up the wireless equipment on the Macquarie Islands.[2] He is credited with being the first person to establish wireless contact with Australia from Antarctica.[3] He set up the wireless equipment at the main base and remained at Cape Denison as wireless operator for two summers and one winter.[4][1] On his departure in February 1913, Sidney Jeffryes took over his post as wireless operator.[5][1]

Hannam enlisted for service in World War I on 1 June 1915.[6] He served as an engineer in the Australian Motor Transport Corps and was discharged from service in 1919.[1]

After his war service, Hannam established an electrical business. He married Elizabeth Bielby in 1917. He died in 1965 in Terrigal.[3]

Honours

In 1914 he was awarded the Polar Medal for his work on the expedition. The Hannam Islands are named after him.[3]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Walter Henry Hannam (1885–1965)". Australian Antarctic Division. Commonwealth of Australia. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  2. ↑ "Walter Henry Hannam". Home of the Blizzard: the Australasian Antarctic Expedition. Commonwealth of Australia. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 "Walter Hannam". Local Studies blog. Manly Library. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  4. ↑ Smyth, Mike (17 April 2013). "Radio's polar pioneer". Critical Comms. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  5. ↑ "Sidney Jeffryes". Home of the Blizzard: the Australasian Antarctic Expedition. Commonwealth of Australia. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  6. ↑ HANNAM Walter Henry : Service Number - 6946 : Place of Birth - Burwood NSW : Place of Enlistment - Sydney NSW : Next of Kin - (Father) HANNAM W H, Series Number B2455, National Archives of Australia
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