Real memorial obituaries – Combe Down, Monkton Combe, Midford

In memoriam et celebrationem

In memorial and celebration

Rugby player Mike Hannell dies at 29

Bristol Rugby player Mike Hannell (29) died yesterday of cancer at his home in Shaft Road, Monkton Combe near Bath.

Mike, head of the modern languages department at Monkton Combe school played as a prop forward for Newport and London Welsh before joining Bath, where he spent three years.

He transferred to the Bristol club early in the 1972-73 season and played 40 games for the1st. XV - the last at Sale in January, 1974.

Mike, who leaves a widow. Caroline, and three year old son Tom,. discovered early last year that he had a: malignant growth on his left hand.

A close. friend, Brendan Perry, the Bath player, said today: “Mike had spent long periods in hospitals since then, battling with remarkable courage. He never gave up hope at all.”

Bristol captain David Tyler and club colleague, John White, will be among pall-bearers at the funeral at Monkton Combe Parish Church on Thursday, at 2.30

Tis will be. followed by cremation Haycombe, Crematorium, Bath.