Jack's Story.
Corporal Jack Hammond of the Lancashire Fusiliers was reported missing on 1 June 1916 and was subsequently presumed to have been killed in action or to have died of wounds received on that date. Aged 25, he was a native of Knutsford and the husband of Mrs Hammond of Railway Cottages, Cuddington, Northwich, whom he had married earlier that year. He enlisted in September 1914 and proceeded to the Western Front in June 1915. Prior to military service, he was employed by Mr Harlow, greengrocer, of Knutsford, and was a member of the Knutsford Conservative Club.
He initially enlisted in the Royal Army Service Corp before transferring to the 18th Battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers. 41107
He went to France on the 8 July 1915.
Jack was killed in action on the 1 June 1918.
On that fateful day:
The war diary states:
1.6.18 HEDAUVILLE
Battalion takes part in the attack on AVELUY WOOD. Objectives reached but
Unable to be held. Capt. WS MORRIS and 2/LT THOMPSON killed in action.
Lieut. Ward M.C., 2/Lieuts Crowden, Grimshaw, Parry, Pritchard (died of wounds 3-6-18), Turnbull (died of wounds 4-6-18) and Gresty wounded. 2/Tt Almond wounded and missing.
18 O.R. killed in action.
5 O.R. wounded and missing
43 O.R. missing
122 O.R. wounded in action
17 O.R. wounded (at duty)
5 O.R. wounded in action and (died of wounds)
Battalion is relieved by the 19th D.L.I. and 17th Royal Scots.