Ex-soldier seriously injured in attack

John Hanmer, a 64-year-old ex-light infantryman who served his country in Northern Ireland, was set to attend the service in Wakefield and had already ironed his uniform and polished his medals in preparation.

Grandfather Mr Hanmer of Portobello, Wakefield, went in to the city centre on Saturday night for a drink with friends and his daughter.

He stepped in to help after seeing a young man being punched to the floor outside Passion Bar in Silver Street at around 11.30pm.

But Mr Hanmer was punched and dragged to the floor – causing his left hip to shatter.

The retired bus driver was taken to Pinderfeilds Hospital at Wakefield where he underwent emergency hip replacement surgery on Monday, Armistice Day.

His horrified daughter Lorraine Hanmer-Gallivan, 32, of Pinders Heath, Wakefield, said someone also kicked her father while he was on the floor during the attack.

She added; “It was awful. I can’t believe it happened. We are so mad.

“It was very much like him to help someone, he would do anything for anyone.

“He was fuming that he missed the Remembrance ceremony.

“He had ironed his uniform and polished his medals. He was as proud as punch.”

Insp Richard Clare of Wakefied Police, said: “This gentleman has gone out of his way to assist another person and keep the peace and has ended up injured in the process.”

Police said they want to speak to a man in his 20s with short dark hair in connection with the incident. He was wearing a cream coloured T-shirt.

Witnesses, or anyone with information, are asked to call police at Wakefield with information on 101.

Or call Crimestoppers, anonymously and in confidence, on 0800 555111.