Lt Col B A Hannaford
Commanding Officer - The East Surrey Regiment
Commanded the 23rd Bn. The London Regiment from July 1956 to September 1958
2/Lt Basil Anthony Hannaford, known as Tony, was educated at Malvern College and joined The East Surrey Regiment on 11th January, 1936. his service extended from - 1936- to---l958- and included service in the 1st , 2nd and 11th (renamed 2nd ) Bns The East Surrey Regiment and the 1st Bn The Royal Fusiliers in the UK, Sudan, Shanghai, Italy, Palestine, Somaliland and Tripoli.
He attended the Staff College and held various Staff appointments at Divisional HQ, 8th Army HQ, Palestine HQ, GHQ Middle East and at the War Office. These appointments included that of DAA & QMG Canal Zone.
He was Mentioned in Despatches for his services. From 1954 to 1956 he commanded the Depot The East Surrey Regiment -and in 1956 was appointed to command The 23rd London Regiment. This was at a most sensitive time as the Regiment had just been transferred from 18 years as a Tank Regiment (42nd Royal Tanks) to its previous role as an Infantry Battalion. The smoothness of the transition was greatly helped by the strong and tactful leadership exercised by Colonel Hannaford who against heavy odds persuaded many dedicated Tank men to become good Infantrymen.
He retired from the Army in 1958 and for fifteen years was a Queen's Messenger. He took a great interest in medals and was responsible for the organisation, card indexing and display of all medals at the Regimental Museum at Clandon.
For obituary see QRSNL November 1996 page 44
« Previous 
Back to list Next »
