More about Christopher Smith Hackney

Christopher has no known grave but is remembered on the Helles Memorial.

DUNDEE PETTY OFFICER KILLED IN ACTION.

Official intimation has been received by his parents, who reside at 79 King Street, Dundee, of the death in action at the Dardanelles of Chief Petty Officer Christopher S. Hackney, of the Anson Battalion, Royal Naval Division.

Deceased was 25 years of age, and enlisted shortly after the outbreak of war in the Collingwood Battalion, but was transferred to the Anson.  He was previously employed as a turner in Lilybank Foundry.  His brother, Alexander, who was in the United States when war broke out, came home last summer and enlisted as a gunner in the Royal Field Artillery, and is at present at the front.  Before emigrating Alexander  was employed by Messrs William Hazell & Son, grocers, Castle Street, as a vanman.

Dundee Courier 25^th January 1916

Christopher S Hackney was the second son of Mr Alexander and Mrs Christina G S Hackney of 79 King Street, Dundee. In September 1914, he left his employment as a Turner and was one of the first local men to volunteer to join the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve onboard HMS Unicorn for service in the Royal Naval Division. After initial Naval Training at the Crystal Palace in South London he was sent to Blandford Camp in Dorset for advanced military training and joined the Collingwood Battalion. In January 1915 he volunteered to join the Royal Marine Anti Aircraft Section and went to the Royal Marine Artillery Depot in Eastney, Portsmouth. However, he failed aptitude tests and returned to the Crystal Palace. In April he joined the Collingwood Battalion as a Leading Seaman, served in C Company and was advanced to Petty Officer in early May. The Collingwood Battalion landed in Gallipoli in late May 1915 and took part in the Third Battle of Krithia on 4 June 1915. This was their first and last action because, as they advanced towards the enemy line, they were caught in heavy Turkish artillery and machinegun fire. The number of dead and wounded was very high and the Battalion was disbanded two days later. The survivors were distributed to the other RND battalions to replace their losses and Christopher Hackney joined the Anson Battalion. In August he was admitted to hospital with an elbow injury. Christopher Hackney was killed in action on Christmas Eve 1915. His body was not recovered and his name is listed on the Helles Memorial on Gallipoli and also on the St Andrews Parish Church Memorial. The Dundee City Roll of Honour (D684) has his rate as Chief Petty Officer.

Iain Stewart and Iain Birnie