HAMMOND, Walter Thomas
| Service Number: | 20222 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 15 December 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | 8th Field Artillery Brigade |
| Born: | Peckham, London, England, 1894 |
| Home Town: | Wallinduc, Golden Plains, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Garratt Lane School, Earlsfield, London, England |
| Occupation: | Chauffeur |
| Died: | Killed in Action, France, 8 August 1918 |
| Cemetery: |
Cerisy-Gailly Military Cemetery Plot I, Row C, Grave No. 2. |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Wallinduc War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 15 Dec 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Bombardier, 20222, 8th Field Artillery Brigade | |
|---|---|---|
| 20 May 1916: | Involvement Bombardier, 20222, 8th Field Artillery Brigade , --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '4' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Medic embarkation_ship_number: A7 public_note: '' | |
| 20 May 1916: | Embarked Bombardier, 20222, 8th Field Artillery Brigade , HMAT Medic, Melbourne | |
| 8 Aug 1918: | Involvement Sergeant, 20222, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 20222 awm_unit: 8th Australian Field Artillery Brigade awm_rank: Sergeant awm_died_date: 1918-08-08 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
Walter Hammond was an 18-year-old Englishman when he arrived in Australia during 1912. He was working as a chauffer for William Rowe, who was a large land holder at Wallinduc and a much-respected local councillor and citizen. Walter became a keen footballer at the Wallinduc Football Club.
During a send-off for him when he enlisted the local paper reported he was presented with a handsome wristlet watch by Mr. Rowe, the gift of the people of the district, and spoke in eulogistic terms of the many good qualities of Mr Hammond. Mr. Harry Rowe, on behalf of the Football Club, also made a presentation of a gold mounted fountain pen. He trusted that Mr Hammond would be long spared to use the pen and that in future days it may form a link of communication between Wally and his old team.
He became a good soldier and was awarded a Miltary Medal only months before his death.
“On 5 April 1918, near Sailly Le Sec, during a hostile infantry attack, the 108th Howitzer Battery was subjected to a very heavy bombardment. These NCO’s kept their guns in action, working them in a most cool and efficient manner, setting a splendid example throughout the whole operation, and showing complete disregard for their own personal safety. Owing to the efficiency displayed by Hammond and two other NCO’s under a heavy bombardment, it was possible to render invaluable assistance to our infantry in repulsing the enemy attack.”
Walter Hammond would never return to Wallinduc, and his parents in England received his medals and personal effects.
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