Pte Edward John Hammond

Edward John HAMMOND,
Private 26047 D Coy, 8th Bn East Surrey Regiment

Death Plaque and papers associated with notification of death.
Photograph/Postcard
Notification of Death card
Effects from 45B
Red Cross Letter
Eye Witness Report
Army Form B104 -82
Letter from OC

Edward John Hammond enlisted in the Norfolk Yeomanry on 16 Feb 1916 as Private 2905. Sometime in 1917 he was transferred to G/26047 8th Battalion East Surrey Regiment. Edward fought with the East Surreys, through 1917. In March 1918 the East Surrey Regt were in the front line, at the start of Operation Michael and the ‘Kaiserslacht’. Between 1-3 April 1918 they relieved Australian battalions on a line near Villers-Bretonneux. A report from Private J Cordery 5392 described the action in which Edward died.

The Report states:

“Early in April at Villers-Bretonneux, I saw him fall close to me in the open, hit in the back and leg by bullets. We were retreating and his body was left. I knew him well, he came from Norfolk.”

Edward was listed in the War Diary as wounded but was actually missing. His body was later recovered and buried by Canadian Forces.
Edward id buried at Crucifix Corner Cemetery Plot C IX 2.

Edward was the second son of Frederick and Lucy Louisa Hammond and was born 1 Feb 1897 at Runhall, he was one of seven children. At the time of enlistment Edward was living at 4 Letton Road, Shipdham.

1916-18

Villers-Bretonneux

Anthony James Hammond (Great Nephew/ father’s side)

King's Lynn, Norfolk