Arthur Hammond was born in North Malvern, and enlisted in the 3/8th Bn, The Worcestershire Regiment. The Malvern News reported on the 26th October 1918: “Mrs Hammond of 6 Lygon Terrace, Malvern has received official news of the death of her youngest son Private Arthur Hammond in his 19th year”. He was killed in action on September 27th. In 1915 he joined the Worcestershire Regiment as a drummer, afterwards being transferred to the Warwicks. He had only been in France five weeks when he was killed in the Battle of Cambrai during the attack on Gouzeaucourt (the village that was later adopted by the City of Worcester).

From an officer Mrs Hammond has received a letter: “It is with very deep regret that I have to inform you of the death in action of your son, who was a most painstaking and thorough soldier, and one who was very much liked by his comrades. Your very great loss will be keenly felt by all who knew him, officers and men alike. I must beg of you to accept the deepest sympathy of the officers and men of this Company.”

The eldest son, Sapper Joseph Hammond, died of wounds on April 29th and the second son served with the Royal Field Artillery in France.

Arthur Hammond’s headstone

Malvern News 26/10/18