Private Johann Hermann Frederick SPANHAKE, 5th Inf, Army of Hanover

Johann Hermann Frederick SPANHAKE was born on 1 May 1820 in Hanover and came from a military family.  His mother Luise was the daughter of a Staff Sergeant in the 5th Dragoon Regiment, whilst both his father and grandfather saw service in the 5th Infantry Regiment.  It is believed that ‘Fred’, as he was best remembered, enlisted into the Army as a young man and in all probability was in England for the Coronation Guard of Honour of Queen Victoria.  He took his discharge prior to sailing for New Zealand in 1843.  His previous military service must have stood him in good stead because in 1846 he enlisted into the Australian Police Force; he resigned in Adelaide on 30 November 1848.