Leonard Charles Hammond

First Name: 
Leonard
Middle Name: 
Charles
Last Name: 
Hammond
Mother's Name: 
Florence Hammond nee Wilson
Father's Name: 
Courtney Hammond
Date Enlisted: 
Monday, August 24, 1914
Rank at Enlistment: 
Private
Rank at Discharge: 
Private
Unit: 
3rd Battalion
Company: 
D
Service: 
Infantry
Awards: 
1914/1915 Star
British War Medal
Victory Medal
Date of Death: 
Sunday, May 2, 1915
Place of Death: 
Lone Pine, Gallipoli
Cause of Death: 
Killed in action
Details: 

Leonard Hammond (Service No 733) was born in Sydney around 1894.

At enlistment Leonard was single, 20 years old and worked as a labourer; he had served at Kiama, N.S.W., with the 37th Infantry, A Company, Infantry Militia.

Leonard embarked from Sydney on board HMAT A14 Euripides with 3rd Battalion, D Company on 19th October 1914 and sailed with the first contingent.

He arrived in Egypt in December and after training embarked for Gallipoli.  Leonard landed on the morning of 25th April and survived the first few days.  He was killed in action on 2nd May and is buried in Beach Cemetery, Plot I, Row C, Grave 12.

On his Attestation Papers, Leonard had nominated his sister, Mrs Dorothy Hammond, as his next of kin but she could not be located after his death.  A letter was received from a Mrs Emma Abbott stating that she was Leonard's foster mother and aunt, and had raised him from a baby.  In 1922, the AIF recognised Emma as 'the only surviving relation of the late No. 733 Private L.C. Hammond'.  Accordingly, all of Leonard's belongings were handed over to her. 

Leonard's sacrifice is commemorated on Kiama Memorial Arch and Honour Rolls.

Sources: 
NAA: B2455, HAMMOND L C