Born at Clonmell, Ireland, c.1826.
He was most probably the brother of 979 Thomas Hanrahan, both men having Clonmell connections.
Enlisted at Dublin on the 29th of March 1848.
Age: 22.
Height: 5' 8".
Trade: Tailor.
Embarked for the Crimea aboard the H.T. "Mary Anne" on the 19th of April 1854.
Killed-in-action at Balaclava.
From the Regimental History and an unknown writer's description of the Charge [1153 William Fulton? see below]:
"My right-hand man, Denis Hanrahan, was shot in the head by one of the thousand grape-shot ringing about our ears, and sank on his saddle-bow; his charger still going on with us."
Hanrahan's death in action was recalled in 1877 by 1153 William Fulton, 8th Hussars, after claims that Lieutenant Fitzgibbon, leading C troop, had not in fact died but had recently been seen alive:
"On going into the charge, Denis Haneran of C troop [ 939 Sergeant Denis Hanrahan, 8th Hussars], was shot on my right, and fell over his horse, his left spur striking the horse of Lord Fitzgibbon, and making it rear heavily. I was forced into the second rank, and almost immediately afterwards Lord Fitzgibbon was shot..."
W. S. J. Fulton, late private C troop, 8th King's Royal Irish Hussars, private C troop, 8th King's Royal Irish Hussars. 2 Salisbury Square, Edinburgh.".
Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for Alma, Balaclava and Sebastopol.
Killed-in-action at Balaclava, 25th October 1854.