John Alfred HANNA returned to Australia from the Boer War in August 1902 on board the Troopship Drayton Grange. Due to overcrowding and unhygienic conditions on the troopship disease such as tuberculosis (TB), even mumps was widespread. Some 17 sailors and soldiers died on the ship at sea between Durban South Africa and Albany in Western Australia. Most troops surviving were taken to the quarantine station at Albany before being allowed to continue on to other eastern ports of Australia. John Alfred Hanna returned to Sydney NSW a few days after quarantine on the SS Coolgardie. He had a sniffle, which he thought was just a cold.

His condition deteriorated after a few months and what he thought was a cold turned out to be the deadly disease TB. In the meanwhile a Royal Commission was set up to determine the cause of the tragedy and who to blame for the disaster. There was an outrage here in Australia. Simply the ships captain and the army officers making decisions on the voyage were held to blame. I did not come across any punishments handed out for their poor judgment, simply admonishment.

The photograph above was taken just a few months before his death.

The ensuing papers will explain the plight and anguish of John Alfred HANNA as he sought assistance from the Australian Government and The Department of Defence. These papers will also spell out the tragic final months of his life as he battled not only the disease but also his Government for whom he served at war, and the tragedy of the final few months of life. It is interesting that after more than 100 years since this tragedy occurred, service personnel killed while on peace time or humane duties or who have died of injuries or disease resulting from active service still have their families fighting the Government for assistance and compensation. During this period of our history John Alfred Hanna's life was only worth £25 ($50).