Sjt
Arthur James Hammond
Information about birth
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Date of birth: 17/01/1894 |
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Place of birth: Geraldine, Canterbury, New Zealand |
General information
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Profession: Labourer |
Army information
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Country: New Zealand |
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Force: New Zealand Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Serjeant |
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Service number: 6/4053 |
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Enlistment date: 17/11/1915 |
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Enlistment place: Trentham, Wellington, New Zealand |
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Units: — Canterbury Regiment, 2nd Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 13/12/1917 |
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Place of death: Polygon Wood, Zonnebeke, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 23 |
Cemetery
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Polygon Wood Cemetery Plot: / Row: D Grave: 11 |
Distinctions and medals 3
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British War Medal Medal |
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Distinguished Conduct Medal Medal |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 3
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Enlistment place | ||
| #3 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
Sergeant Arthur James Hammond was born on January 17th 1894 in Te Moana, Geraldine (Canterbury, New Zealand). Before he enlisted in the army he worked as a labourer for his father. When he enlisted on November 17th 1915 he joined the Canterbury Regiment 2nd Battalion, part of the 2nd New Zealand Brigade, New Zealand Division.
After the Third Battle of Ypres, the New Zealand Division remained in the line in and around the Polygon Wood area.
On December 9th/10th the 2nd New Zealand Brigade took over the frontline. The 2nd Bn. Canterbury Regiment was in support, and occupied bivouacs in Polygon Wood. The battalion was set to work on the trenches immediately behind the front line. Arthur James Hammond must have been killed working on these trenches. He was buried at Polygon Wood Cemetery.
Sgt. Hammond received the British War Medal, Victory Medal, and Distinguished Conduct Medal. He received the DCM for showing gallantry and devotion during an attack in August of 1917 near La Basse Ville, when he single-handedly attacked an enemy machine gun, which was holding up the advance. He shot two of the crew and closed with another one, the remainder of the crew surrendered.
After the Third Battle of Ypres, the New Zealand Division remained in the line in and around the Polygon Wood area.
On December 9th/10th the 2nd New Zealand Brigade took over the frontline. The 2nd Bn. Canterbury Regiment was in support, and occupied bivouacs in Polygon Wood. The battalion was set to work on the trenches immediately behind the front line. Arthur James Hammond must have been killed working on these trenches. He was buried at Polygon Wood Cemetery.
Sgt. Hammond received the British War Medal, Victory Medal, and Distinguished Conduct Medal. He received the DCM for showing gallantry and devotion during an attack in August of 1917 near La Basse Ville, when he single-handedly attacked an enemy machine gun, which was holding up the advance. He shot two of the crew and closed with another one, the remainder of the crew surrendered.
Sources 2
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Capt. Ferguson, D., The History of the Canterbury Regiment, N.Z.E.F. 1914-1919, (Auckland, Whitcombe and Tombs Limited, 1921), 218-221. Sources used |
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Military Personnel File https://www.archway.archives.govt.nz/FullItem.do Sources used |
More information 6
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Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/480031 |
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Namenlijst (In Flanders Fields Museum) https://namenlijst.org/publicsearch/#/person/_id=ca1ed678-4498-4790-a109-83fb64c9d7fb |
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Lives of the First World War (Imperial War Museum) https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/7175747 |
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Lives of the First World War (Imperial War Museum) https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/4983103 |
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Online Cenotaph (Auckland Museum) https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/c6234 |
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The NZEF Project (UNSW Canberra) https://nzef.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=104563 |