10 Facts About Peter Hanan

Peter Sedgley Hanan was a New Zealand swimmer who represented his country at the 1938 and 1950 British Empire Games.

Peter Hanan married Esma Elaine St George in 1946, and the couple went on to have two children.

Peter Hanan began swimming at the public swimming baths in Morrinsville, which opened in 1924, as a child, and later receiving coaching from Malcolm Champion at the Tepid Baths in Auckland.

Peter Hanan went on to win five New Zealand national swimming titles: the 100 yards freestyle in 1938 and 1940; and the 220 yards freestyle in three consecutive years from 1938.

Peter Hanan represented New Zealand in the men's 110 yards freestyle at both the 1938 British Empire Games in Sydney and the 1950 British Empire Games in Auckland.

Peter Hanan was commissioned as a pilot officer in July 1941, promoted to flying officer in July 1942, and flight lieutenant in July 1943.

Peter Hanan saw active service with Fighter Command in Britain and in the Far East, including with No 67 Squadron RAF in Burma, and was transferred from the active list to the Reserve of Air Force Officers at the end of January 1945.

Peter Hanan was elected as a Morrinsville borough councillor, serving in that role for six years, and was the treasurer of the Morrinsville RSA from 1964.

When celebrations were held in 2008 to mark the centenary of the first meeting of the Morrinsville Town Board, Peter Hanan, then aged 92, was recognised as the oldest person born in the town still resident there.

Peter Hanan died on 15 September 2008, and he was buried at the Piako Lawn Cemetery, Morrinsville.