In memory of John Lang Hammond
In memory of Major John Lang Hammond MC
Jack Hammond lived at Ashford, Princess Drive, Rhos-on-Sea, with his father, John Athorn Hammond, and mother, Elsie Whitworth Hammond, and twin sister Peggy. He was educated at Colwyn Bay Grammar School, now known as Eirias High School, and received a BSc Hons from London University, writes Graham Roberts.
He loved walkin
g, and a few years before his death wrote an unpublished account of “some walks, tours and climbs”. The title was Through North Wales, and in it he noted that from his bedroom window he could see “the summit of Carnedd Llewelyn some thirteen miles away”. He started his account with words which can now be an epitaph for his short life: “Like everything else, this story must have a beginning, presumably it will have an end as well but what that end will be remains in the hands of Providence.”
He was 24 years old when he lost his life at the Battle of Imphal, India, in 1944. He was attached to the Royal Welsh Fusiliers and the 1st Battalion of the 4th Prince of Wales’ Own Gurkha Rifles. He was awarded the Military Cross.
When the news of his death reached Rhos-on-Sea, Olive Roberts, wife of his good friend Alan, went to Mr and Mrs Hammond’s home to talk to them and offer her sympathy. She was 21 at the time. Seventy years later she could remember standing outside the back door and hearing the sound of Mr Hammond weeping uncontrollably from within. Olive recalled that Mr Hammond had been told that Jack died charging up a hill, leading his men from the front and urging them to follow.
