Lot 4595

Description

Distinguished Conduct Medal, (GVR type 1). 13953 L.Cpl J.H. Hammond. 6/F.Coy Aust:E. Impressed. Hairlines, otherwise nearly extremely fine.

Ex Trevor Bushell Taylor Collection.

DCM: LG 3/9/1918, p10370, posn 13; COA 4/2/1919, p124, posn 3.

Recommendation: On night 18th/19th May this N.C.O. was one of a party detailed to throw two infantry bridges across the Ancre in "No Man's Land" near Ville-Sur-Ancre near Albert, preparatory to an attack on 19th May.

To expedite erection he and a Sapper crossed to the enemy side of the river below the bridge site and were making their way upstream when they encountered an enemy patrol. After inflicting casualties on the enemy both were wounded and, under fire, L/Cpl. Hammond assisted his comrade back 200 yards to a stretcher bearer's post. He then re-crossed the stream and again attempted to reach the site but was wounded again, and being almost surrounded swam across the river and rejoined his party just in time to help launch the first bridge before fainting.

John Hartwell Hammond, plumber and seaman, age 44, born at St John's, New Brunswick, Canada; Enl.30Nov1915 at Brisbane, Qld; Emb.20Apr1916 at rank of Sapper; to Lance Corporal 30Sep1917; served in Belgium and France; WIA 19May1918 GSW arm and leg, France; RTA 20Nov1918; Disch.15Feb1919 as Medically Unfit with medical report stating multiple gunshot wounds in 22 places.

With research.