Walter Henry Hannam

Walter Henry Hannam was born in Sydney ca. 1885. He was educated at the Technical College in Sydney, gaining a science diploma. He joined the Australasian Antarctic Expedition, 1911-1914 (leader Douglas Mawson) as wireless operator and mechanic on board Aurora and assisted in establishing wireless stations at Macquarie Island and Cape Denison, Commonwealth Bay. The first radio contact was made from Macquarie with Australia on 4 January 1912, and with Antarctica on 25 September 1912. He was awarded the Polar Medal for his part in the expedition.

During the First World War, he served as a lieutenant with the Australian Motor Transport Corps.