| John Hammond was a son of James and Martha Hammond. James Hammond married Martha Armstrong on 4th August 1885 in the district of Magherafelt.
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| John Hammond was born on 27th August 1894 in Desertmartin, Magherafelt, County Londonderry. John was one of 11 children.
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| The 1901 census lists John as age 6 living with the family at house 26 in Luney, Desertmartin, County Londonderry. His father was a farmer.
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| The 1911 census does not list John as living with the family at house 6 in Grange, Desertmartin, Londonderry. The family worked on the farm.
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| The 1911 census lists John as age 16 living with his grandparents at house 1 in Curran, Desertmartin, Londonderry.
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| Family: James Hammond, Martha Hammond , George Hammond (born 24th October 1885), Maggie Hammond (born 23rd July 1887), Annie May Hammond (born 27th January 1889), Sarah Hammond (born 13th September 1890), James Joseph Hammond (born 26th June 1892), John Hammond (born 27th August 1894), Agnes Jane Hammond (born 24th June 1896), Samuel Hammond (born 3rd March 1898), Thomas Stewart Hammond (born 3rd May 1900), Robert Hammond (born 2nd August 1902), Martha E Hammond (born 27th July 1905).
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| John Hammond was a member of the local branch of the U.V.F.
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| John Hammond enlisted in Enniskillen in August 1915.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 10th July 1915: Knockloughrim
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| Mr John Hammond, commander of the local company of the U.V.F., joined the 12th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers at Finner Camp about a month ago. He has since been transferred to 10th Battalion, stationed at Randalstown, and is expected to leave for England soon.
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| Private John Hammond was bat-man to Captain M A Robertson.
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| Private John Hammond was serving with the 10th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme on 1st July 1916. He was 21 years old.
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| His brother, Private Joseph Hammond, was also killed on that day at the Somme.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 29 July 1916:
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| Unofficial information has been received that Privates John and Joseph Hammond, of the 10th Inniskillings (South Derry Regiment), sons of James Hammond, Grange, were killed on 1st July.
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| Captain M A Robertson was also killed on the same day.
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| Private John Hammond has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.
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| Private Hammond is named on the tablet in Castledawson War Memorial Hall as he was a member of the U.V.F., while his brother Joseph wasn't.
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| Private Hammond is listed on the Roll of Honour in Curran Presbyterian Church.
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| John and Joseph Hammond are also named on their parents’ headstone.
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| John Hammond is also named on his grandparents’ headstone in Curran.
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| All images courtesy of Sam Hudson, Desertmartin. Information provided here is courtesy of the excellent research undertaken by Mr Sam Hudson.
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