PC 231 Albert Edward Hammond C.1914
Early Life.
Documents show that Albert Edward Hammond was also recorded as John Hammond but to his family he was Jack. He was born on the 23rd December 1870 and baptised on the 19th February 1871 at Cheshunt. His father was Charles Hammond who was born in 1839 at Manuden, Essex and his mother was Elizabeth Hammond nee Dedman born in 1838 at Aldbury. They were married on the 7th August 1859 at Aldbury. They had five children all born in Cheshunt:
1. Albert Edward. 2. Ada Elizabeth born in 1873. 3. George Henry born in 1876. 4. Frederick Charles born in 1878. 5. Arthur Ernest born in 1880.
In the 1871 census the family were living in Turners Hill, Cheshunt and Charles was employed as a Carman. They were at the same address during the census of 1881 and Charles was employed as a Builders Carman and Albert was recorded as being a scholar. In the census taken on the 5th April 1891 it records the family as being still at the same address and Charles and Albert were both shown as General Labourers.
It would appear that despite the names Albert Edward being on his birth and baptismal records and the census returns, he also went by the name of John Hammond when joining the Army and later on the Police. The following shows that he led a complicated life with a constant use of both names on official records. The reason as to why he used the name John is not known.
Early Army Service.
On the 6th May 1891, John Hammond was Attested at Hertford and enlisted for Short Service of seven years in the Colours and five in the Reserve as Private 3802 in the Bedfordshire Regiment. His Army Form B265 Service Record has survived and contains the following information.
He stated he was born in Cheshunt Hertfordshire, and he was a British subject, 20 years 5 months old and employed as a Gardener. He said he had not lived away from his father’s home in the last three years, was not an Apprentice, was not married and had never been in prison. He said he was not currently a member of the Military, had never been discharged from the Military and had answered truthfully. He stated he had never been rejected from joining the Military due to being unfit.
His description on enlistment was recorded as follows. Age: physically equivalent to 20 years five months, height: 5 foot 9 inches, chest: 35 ins. minimum 36 ½ maximum, complexion: fresh, eyes: grey, hair: dark brown, religion: Church of England.
His next of kin were recorded as Father, Charles Hammond, younger brothers Arthur and Frederick Hammond all of Cheshunt.
On the 7th May 1891 John Hammond was medically examined at Bedford and found to be fit for service in the Bedfordshire Regiment. The Medical History record shows that he enlisted on the 6th May 1891 at Hertford, he was born at Cheshunt and was 20 years old at his last birthday. His occupation was a Gardener and was 69 inches tall and weighed 142 lbs, his chest measured 35 to 36 ½ inches, his physical development good, he had no Small Pox marks but had two vaccination marks from infancy on his left arm. He was re-vaccinated on the 27th May 1891.
From his Statement of Service, the following is known.
6th May 1891 he was Posted to Depot. 7th May 1891 his Medical Record shows him posted to Bedford. Whilst there he had no hospital admissions. 8th February 1892 his Medical Record shows him posted to an unreadable location. 10th February 1892 he was Posted to 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment.
On the 2nd October 1892, an Albert Edward Hammond (registered birth name was Cooper) who had been born on the 4th July 1891 and Alice Conset Ada Mary Hammond (no birth found to be registered) who was born on the 23rd July 1892 were baptised at Cheshunt. Their parents are shown as Albert Edward Hammond, a Soldier, and a Mary Jane Hammond (nee Cooper) of Turners Hill, Cheshunt. No record of a marriage can be found.
Continuing John Hammond’s Statement of Service:
6th May 1893 he was granted 1d (per day) Good Conduct Pay. 2nd October 1893 he was admitted to hospital for 54 days suffering from boils. 12th January 1894 his Medical Record shows him posted to Bedford. Whilst there he had no hospital admissions. 22nd May 1894 he was Posted to Depot Bedfordshire Regiment. 2nd January 1896 his Medical Record shows him posted to Aldershot. 25th January 1896 he was admitted to hospital for 7 days suffering with corns. 3rd January 1896 he was posted to the 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment. 28th September 1896 his Medical Record shows him posted to Lichfield. Whilst there he had no hospital admissions. 6th May 1897 he was granted 2d (per day) Good Conduct Pay.
Marriage.
On the 16th January 1898 John Hammond, a bachelor Soldier whose father was Charles Hammond a Carman, married a Jane Cooper a spinster whose father was Thomas Cooper a Soldier, at Edmonton. She was born as Mary Jane Cooper on the 17th February 1864 at Aldershot. They both gave the address of 12 Beaconsfield Road, Edmonton. In the 1891 census Jane was employed as a cook in the household of Edward Horner a Drug Merchant of Theobalds Park, Cheshunt.
They had four children:
1. Albert Edward Cooper born on the 4th July 1891 at Turners Hill, Cheshunt. No father’s name on certificate, mother who was the informant on 17th August 1891 was Mary Jane Cooper a Domestic Servant of Turners Hill. 2. Alice Conset Ada Mary Hammond (no birth found to be registered) born on the 23rd July 1892 at Cheshunt. 3. John (E. unknown name) Hammond (no birth found to be registered) born on the 9th November 1894 at Cheshunt. 4. Dorothy Mabel Hammond born on 7th April 1904 at 19 Church Street, Bishops Stortford. Mother Jane Hammond nee Cooper, father who was informant on 7th May 1904 was John Hammond Police Constable of 19 Church Street,
Continuing from John Hammond’s Statement of Service:
20th April 1898 whilst stationed at Lichfield he signed an agreement to accept new regulations regarding pay as per Special Army Order of 2nd April 1898. 5th May 1898 he was transferred to the Army Reserve having completed his five years.
Police Service.
His Hertford County Constabulary Police Service Record has not survived but from other sources we know that he joined, probably straight after leaving the Army in 1898, and became Constable 89 John Hammond. Having served in the Army as John Hammond he could hardly revert now to Albert Edward.
It is not known where he was stationed other than it was highly likely to have been Bishops Stortford as in 1899 the children were attending school in the town and the Admissions Register has their address as Church Street and the Police Station was in the same road. Curiously, their fathers name recorded in the School Admissions Register is Albert and not John.
Recalled To Army Service – Boer War.
John Hammond’s Army Service record shows that on the 4th December 1899 he was recalled to Army Service under the Special Army Order of the 7th October 1899.
On the 16th December 1899 he commenced service in South Africa with the 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment. On his Medical Record it shows that he was aboard a ship the SS Sumatra on the 16th December. He returned Home on the 27th June 1902 after 2 years 193 days abroad.
On the 3rd February 1903 he was re-transferred to the Army Reserve and on the 5th May 1903, he was Discharged from the Army in consequence in the termination of his first period of limited engagement.
John Hammond was awarded the Queen’s South Africa Medal with clasps for Wittebergen and Cape Colony and the King’s South Africa Medal with clasps for 1901 and 1902.
Re-joining The Police.
The precise date that John re-joined the Police is not known. However, it is possible to make a calculated estimate using information from his Army Service Record and the below General Order.
General Order 22 of the 9th October 1902 announced that under the provisions of the Police Reservists Act 1902, the Police Authority for the County has decided that the Army Service of those Police who were called upon to re-join the Colours as Reservists during the late war shall count as approved service for Pension or Gratuity under the provisions of the Police Act 1890. This order affects the undermentioned Sergeant and Constables.
PC Hyiatt 91 D Division Service with Regiment 2 Yrs 294 days. PC Wood 172 B Division Service with Regiment 1 Yr 24 days. PC Warren 55 E Division Service with Regiment 1 Yr 350 days. PC Hunt 134 D Division Service with Regiment 351 days. PC Pusey 183 F Division Service with Regiment 2 Yrs 183 days. PC Hammond 89 B Division Service with Regiment 2 Yrs 218 days. PC Burgess 107 D Division Service with Regiment 236 days. PC Field 234 A Division Service with Regiment 31 days. PS Wilcox 138 B Division Service with Regiment 340 days. PC Stevens 60 A Division Service with Regiment 1 Yr 185 days
His Army Service Record states that he was recalled on the 4th December 1899 and 12 days later on the 16th December commenced Military Service in South Africa. He served 2 year 193 days in South Africa before returning and commencing duties at Home on the 27th June 1902 which totals 2 years and 215 days. From the above General Order, he was allowed to count 2 years and 218 days Army Service meaning that after returning home he remained in the Army for a further 3 days bringing him to the 30th June 1902. So, if as it is believed that his Police Service was continuous with his Army Service, he would have re-joined the Constabulary on the 1st July 1902 although he most probably was entitled to some leave first.
Although he was shown as PC 89 in the above Order this Warrant Number had been re-issued and had been given to a PC Frederick Wallduck who was appointed on the 7th August 1901 therefore John Hammond was given a new Warrant Number of 231. There are no surviving records which show this but there are no further Orders showing a PC 89 Hammond whereas there are for a PC 231 Hammond, beginning with the first one below.
As to where he was stationed Order 22 above shows he was in B or the Bishops Stortford Division. Initially he was highly likely to have been at Bishops Stortford as noted previously the children were at school there and when his daughter Dorothy was born on the 7th April 1904, they were living at 19 Church Street in the town and the Police Station was in the same road. However, by the 12th September 1904 the children were attending school in High Wych and the School Admissions Register has their address as High Wych Lane, Bishops Stortford and the newspaper articles below also show he was the local Constable at High Wych in B Division. Again, their fathers name recorded in the School Admissions Register is Albert and not John.
General Order 45 of the 21st October 1902 announced that 10 Officers were to be awarded an increased rate of pay which included PC 231 Hammond who was to receive a raise from 25/8 to 26/10 per week.
A Disorderly Drunk.
Published in the Chelmsford Chronicle on Friday the 4th August 1905 under the heading – Petty Sessions August 3. Before Colonel Archer Houblon and Taylor, Esq. William Bird, labourer, High Wych, was charged with being drunk and disorderly at Sawbridgeworth, July 6. PC Hammond said the defendant, leaving the Hand and Crown Inn (High Wych Road, Sawbridgeworth), became disorderly and offered to fight witness. George Barnard, who was stated to have previously made a statement to the Police as to what took place at the inn before defendant left, now denied the accuracy of the Police version. Defendant was fined 15s. inclusive, and Barnard, recalled, was told that his expenses would be disallowed, and that the Superintendent would report his conduct to the Chief Constable, who would decide whether he should be prosecuted or not.
This Assault Was Very Personal.
Published in the Chelmsford Chronicle on Friday the 29th April 1910 under the headline: Sawbridgeworth Gentleman Summoned. Yesterday at Bishops Stortford Edmund E. Baker, a gentleman, of Faulkners, Sawbridgeworth, was summoned for assaulting John Hammond, a houseboy in his employ. Defendant pleaded guilty under great provocation. Mr. T. D. Dutton, for the prosecution, said the complainant was the son of Police Constable Hammond, of High Wych. April 22 the lad had the misfortune to break a few squares of glass in a garden frame, and on the defendant hearing the matter a conversation took place between him and the complainant. The defendant lost his temper, struck complainant several times in the face and chest, and pushed him against frame. The boy was very much hurt and went home and was attended by Dr. Collins. The boy’s father called upon defendant, who admitted striking his son, and said he would do it again under such provocation as he had received. When the father told him he should take proceedings defendant said he could “Do what the devil he liked.” Complainant said he was looking after the frames and had placed one of the sliding lids against the wall while he went for some water. The wind blew the lid down, and four or five squares of glass were broken. The next day defendant went to him in the garden, and witness explained how the glass was broken. Defendant blamed him for damaging other things which he had not done and told him that would have to make the damage to the good. Witness told him that had not the sense to accuse the groom of damage, whereupon defendant struck him in the face two or three times, punched him the chest twice, and squeezed him against the frame, he went home, was unable to eat his dinner and was sick. Defendant (for whom Mr. A. Nockolds appeared) said he only struck the boy in the face with his open hand. The boy was grossly impertinent he had previously discharged him but had taken him back. He admitted that he lost his temper. The Chairman (Col. Archer Houblon) said the Bench recognised that the boy, on his own admission, had been impertinent, but that did not justify defendant in taking the law into his own hands, and would have to pay £1, including costs.
The 1911 census records that Police Constable John Hammond, his wife Jane and three of his four children were living at The Lane, High Wych. He stated that he had been married for 21 years, suggesting that he had married in 1890. No record of a marriage has been found for that date. The Electoral Registers list a John Hammond as living in High Wych up to and including 1914.
The record showing it has not survived but at some time just after the outbreak of the First World War Constable John Hammond left the Hertford County Constabulary and enlisted in the Army again.
Returning To The Army – First World War.
His Army Form E501, Record of Service, has survived and shows that on the 21st September 1914 John Hammond was Attested at Hertford as a member of the Territorial Force for four years’ service in the United Kingdom. He enlisted as Private 3233 in the Hertfordshire Regiment. He gave his address as 72 Cambridge Road, Sawbridgeworth and stated he had previous Military Service with the 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment of 10 years 61 days with a further 1 year 304 days in the Reserves and was Time Expired.
His description on enlistment was recorded as follows. Apparent Age: 43 years 9 months, height: 5 feet 9 ¾ inches, chest when expanded: 39 inches with a 3 inch range of expansion.
He gave his next of kin as his wife Jane Hammond and daughter Dorothy Mabel Hammond both of 72 Cambridge Road, Sawbridgeworth. He provided details of his marriage in 1898 and the birth of Dorothy Mabel in 1904 but nothing about his other three children.
He was medically examined at Hertford and was considered fit for the Territorial Force.
His Statement of Service shows that on the same day he enlisted he was posted to the 1st Battalion Hertfordshire Regiment and was embodied (mobilised) and promoted to Sergeant. Under re-organisation his Army Number was changed to 265901.
On the 29th June 1915 he was appointed Garrison Provost Sergeant for the 2/1 Battalion Hertfordshire Regiment.
A Son Gets Married.
3rd October 1916 Albert Edward Hammond a bachelor and a Soldier aged 25 of Killinghall Camp married at Sawbridgeworth Mabel Lizzie Walker a spinster and a Domestic Servant aged 21 of Sawbridgeworth. His father was Albert Edward Hammond a Soldier, and her stepfather was Jack Downes a Builder.
Army Form B241 records the following: Descriptive Return of a soldier at present stationed at Harrogate who is desirous of being transferred from the 2/1st Herts Regiment to the Corps of the Military Police at Harrogate for the purpose of employment as a Military Policeman. Regiment: 2/1st Hertfordshire, No: 3233, Rank and name: Sergeant Hammond, Service towards engagement: Duration of war, Date of Attestation: 21.9.1914, Age: 43 years 9 months, Height: 5 feet 11 inches, Chest: 40 ins 3 ins expansion, Trade: Policeman, Marital state: Married on Attestation, Certificate of Education: 3rd Class, Musketry qualification: 2nd class. Dated 15th January 1917.
His Statement of Service then shows that on the 8th February 1917 John was transferred to the Military Foot Police as Private P7489 but on the same day he was appointed Acting Sergeant with pay.
On the 28th June 1919 John Hammond requested a stay on his demobilisation as follows: No. 7489 Sergeant J. Hammond at present serving in the Corps of Military Foot Police hereby surrender my claims to early demobilisation, and express my desire to continue serving under the same conditions as soldiers retained for service with the Army of Occupation, providing it is agreed that I shall not in any case be so retained after the 1st January 1920 unless I give my written consent to such further retention.
On the 28th January 1920 he was demobilised at Aldershot. He gave his home address as 72 Cambridge Road, Sawbridgeworth. All of his service had been at Home, and he was not awarded any medals.
From his Army Form Z11 Protection Certificate and Certificate of Identity issued on the 1st January 1920 at Aldershot the following is recorded: Sergeant P7489 John Hammond Military Foot Police, Record Office Aldershot, Pay Office Woking, address for pay 72 Cambridge Road, Sawbridgeworth, Theatre of war 2, born 1870, medical category B1.
From his Army Form D400z Descriptive Return of a Soldier Discharged or Transferred to the Reserve on Demobilisation the following is recorded: Sergeant P7489 John Hammond Military Foot Police, age on discharge 49, married, occupation before enlistment Policeman, address 72 Cambridge Road, Sawbridgeworth, born Cheshunt 23rd December 1870. Date and place of marriage 18th January 1891 Edmonton (no record found), children and dates of birth Albert Edward July 1892, Alice July 1893, John November 1895, Dorothy 1904, date and place of first enlistment 5th May 1891 Bedford.
Life After The Military.
The 1921 census records that John Hammond, employed as a Lock Keeper at Sheering Lock, Sawbridgeworth by the Lee Conservancy Water Board, was living at 72 Cambridge Road, Sawbridgeworth with his wife Mary Jane, his son John and granddaughter Joan Hammond and his daughter Alice, her husband William James Ellis and his grandson also William James Ellis.
In the 1939 Register Albert E Hammond born 23rd December 1870, a retired lock keeper, and Mary J. Hammond born 17th February 1864 are recorded as living at 15 New Street, Sawbridgeworth.
On the 25th December 1949 at 15 New Street, Sawbridgeworth Albert Edward Hammond age 79 years (born 1870), a retired Lock Keeper, died of 1.(a) Cardiac syncope, (b) Senile arteria sclerosis, 11. Rheumatoid Arthritis. The informant was his grandson W. Ellis of 14 West Road, Sawbridgeworth who had been in attendance. A copy of this death certificate is attached to John Hammond’s Military Record.
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