HAMMOND, Arthur John


No.2397, Private, Arthur John HAMMOND
Aged 24


1st/4th (City of Bristol) Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment
Killed in Action on Tuesday, 19th October 1915


Arthur John HAMMOND was born in 1891 in Hundon (Risbridge Q4-1891 4A:685), son of Walter and Emily HAMMOND (née FITCH).

1901 census...Aged 9, he was at "Jacobs", Helion Bumpstead with his father Walter HAMMOND [39] horse man, born Barnardiston; his mother Emily [39]; brothers George [16] farm labourer and Charles [12]; sister Ethel [4]. All except his father were born in Hundon.

1911 census...Aged 19, a farm labourer, he was at 1 Manworthy Road, Brislington, Bristol working for Thomas Brodwick ( a dairyman). His parents were still at Jacobs Farm, Helions Bumpstead, where his father was now farm bailiff.

There were two legatees, his mother Emily and a Miss Eva Sorrell (fiancée ?). The pension card has his mother at Wiggens Green, Helions Bumpstead.


Arthur enlisted in Bristol. He was killed during the night of 19th/20th October, the war diary recording his death on 20th
In 1801 the Gloucestershire Regiment (the 28th Regiment of Foot) faced the French at the Battle of Alexandria, where on 21st March 1801 they occupied an area of sand dunes facing the coast, in advance of a key British defence position. The French attacked and the 28th Foot took the full brunt. They were surrounded but fought with great skill front and rear and defeated the French. Their gallant actions won them the honour of wearing the Egyptian Sphinx on their cap badge and wearing a badge front and rear.


Battalion war diary:-
19-10-15.. Hebuterne.. Battalion relieved 4/Royal Berks Regt in the trenches. Coys left AUTHIE as follows A Coy at 7:30 am -D Coy at 7:45 am - C Coy at 8 am and B Coy at 8:15 am. M.G.section and transport 8:30 am. Relief completed without casualty at 11.55 am. Disposition A Coy on right of line - B on left - C in Battn Reserve and B in Brigade Reserve in KEEP. On taking over trenches found that JENA trench required considerable repair owing to heavy shelling on it on afternoon of 18-10-15. Whole trench very badly damaged. Berks had worked hard on it but a great deal remains to be done. - at 9 pm Germans fired three shells on GUDIN and JENA killing one of the men and wounding another who were working on the repairs. [HQW and A Coy of 9/Royal Irish Fusiliers attached to us for .E.instruction ??. 1 man to No 4 CCS and 1 man to F.Amb - 8 carpenters retuned from 3 Field Coy R.E.
Strength 32 officers and 807 O.R.

20-10-15...Battalion in the trenches.Nigh ? 19-20 quiet. Hard at work on repairs to JENA but a lot more to be done on parapet and shelters. Major R I Rawson left to take over command of 1/6 A & S Highlanders.
Major Thompson had interview at 10:10 am with G.O.C. 48 (SM) Division in Hebuterne.
1 man killed in action No 2397 Pte HAMMOND and 1 man wounded No 2296 Pte Vowles. 2 men to 19 CCS, 1 man to 4 CCS - 2 men to F Amb and 2 men returned form F Amb. Strength 312 officers and 803 O.R.


An article in the Helions Bumpstead village magazine records that his parents had a letter from his sergeant saying:-
It appears last night with his chum, a lad named Bowles, were in the trenches and engaged in erecting a structure on the parapet, when unfortunately a shell from the German lines struck the two brave lads, your son being killed instantly. I have just returned from the funeral and we all stood round and some of his comrades laid a little wreath on his grave. He was an excellent lad and I never heard him utter a wrong or sinful word.His remains lie in a cemetery where several gallant men of the Worcs, Gloucs and Manchester Regiments have found a last resting place.





photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission



Arthur Hammond is buried in Hebuterne Military Cemetery, grave 1:M:14

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


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