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Alton Stuart “Cap” HANN

Alton Stuart “Cap” HANN

Born in Harbour Buffett, Newfoundland, Alton Stuart Hann joined the Newfoundland Constabulary in 1889. After three years, he joined the Dominion Iron and Steel Company in Nova Scotia as a private detective. He came to the VPD in 1912, and worked on the Vancouver police boat, William McRae.

Alton Stuart Hann was born in Harbour Buffett, Newfoundland, on January 24,1889, and joined the Newfoundland Constabulary, spending two years and nine months there.

He joined Dominion Iron and Steel Company (Sydney, Nova Scotia) for two years, as a private detective.

Listed in his references: he was a sailor, and the S.S. Glencoe (Newfoundland) and S.S. Venture (Vancouver) were noted. As a young man, he learned navigation from and worked with his father on a Grand Banks fishing schooner.

On March 15, 1912, at the age of 23, he was appointed to the Vancouver Police as a 4th Class Constable, making $960 per annum. He worked on the Vancouver police patrol boat, William McRae.

 

 

 

 

August 1, 1929 ““ promoted to Detective, $2070 per annum and $150 clothing allowance.
March 24, 1934 ““ promoted to Detective Sergeant.
January 1, 1937 ““ promoted to Acting Inspector of the Criminal Investigation Branch at $2389.56 per annum and $100 clothing allowance. Confirmed in rank and pay of Inspector February 1, 1937.

Alton was a member of the Vancouver Police Pipes & Drums.

He was highly commended for his alertness to duty no less than six times in his career.

Vancouver Sun October 25, 1935, pg 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 15, 1939 – Alton died of pneumonia, in Vancouver.

Buried: Burnaby Heritage Cemetery (Masonic); Plot 016-1-G

An outstanding tribute to this man was written in The Province on April 29, 1939, pg 39, by his friends of the Vancouver Police:

“Force Mourns Inspector Hann

To say that he will be sadly missed by his colleagues in the department in no manner expresses the feelings of his brother officers.

His congenial manner, his broad smile and breezy air he used to every advantage to iron out the many difficulties which confronted him in his many and arduous duties.

His fearless courage, his devotion to duty, his patience and every-willingness to give advice to those in need, his sound judgment and his compassion for his fellow man, will long be remembered by those who worked side by side with him for over a quarter of a century.

We mourn his passing and grieve for his family, but still we look with pride on his record as an officer and a gentleman, which will be an inspiration to us to uphold the tradition of his profession.”

He was survived by his wife, Ada Jane, and a daughter.

References

  • “They Watch ” – The Vancouver Sun, 3 Jul 1921; page 9. Newspapers.com. Web.
  • “Deaths,” – The Province (Vancouver, BC), 17 Apr 1939; page 17. Newspapers.com. Web
  • “Det.-Inspector Alton S. Hann Dies Suddenly” {has photo} – The Vancouver Sun, 17 Apr 1939; page 19. Newspapers.com. Web.
  • “Pioneer City Officer Dies — Detective Inspector Hann Succumbs Suddenly” {has photo} – The Province (Vancouver, BC), 17 Apr 1939; page 6. Newspapers.com. Web.
  • “Noted City Officer Is Honored In Death,” – The Province (Vancouver, BC), 19 Apr 1939; page 11. Newspapers.com. Web.
  • “Last Goodbye to Insp. Hann,” – The Vancouver Sun, 19 Apr 1939; page 7. Newspapers.com. Web.
  • “Tribute to Police Officer,” – The Vancouver Sun, 26 Apr 1939; page 8. Newspapers.com. Web.
  • “Force Mourns Inspector Hann,” – The Province (Vancouver, BC), 29 Apr 1939; page 39. Newspapers.com. Web.

Photos

Hann 1915 – Vancouver Archives CVA 99-1228.5

Vancouver Police Patrol boat No 1 at dock – circa 1910-1915; nk members aboard – CVA 480-201