During the night 7/8 August 1944, Lieutenant Hanson with his platoon of engineers was supporting the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada in their attack on Fontenay-le-Marmion. His task was to clear a safe lane through mined roads and tracks for the passage of anti-tank guns and carriers to support the newly-won positions. The only possible approach was littered with derelict enemy vehicles, studded with mines and under constant mortar and artillery fire.
Despite relentless fire and mounting casualties, Lieutenant Hanson steadily led his platoon forward, encouraged and inspired his men to grater effort, personally directed the work, and finally cleared the three mile route to the battalion forward headquarters and ascertained the planned location for each anti-tank gun. Still in darkness and under harassing enemy fire, he led the mine-clearing parties to each proposed gun site where additional mines were located and removed.
Through Lieutenant Hanson's outstanding courage and steady leadership the battalion's supporting weapons were brought up without loss, put into position before daylight and the subsequent enemy counter-attack defeated.