Basil was born in Friskney, Lincolnshire and is noted as being from Wrangle, Boston, Lincs. when he enlisted in the H.C.B. - records indicate that this was before the 21st January 1916 directly at the H.Q. St. Mary's Street Huntingdon. He gave his parents as Harry & Ada Elizabeth Hammond.

He was given the H.C.B. number of 1686 and initially posted to D Company in the 2/1st Battalion.  - research has also shown that he also resided at East Street Alford Lincolnshire [possibly his billet]

He was posted to the base depot B. E. F. France on 26th July 1916, he was rationed up to and for that day. Order was part 2 No. 171 issued by W. L. Stephenson, 2/Lieut. & acting Adjutant, 2/1st Hunts. Cyclist Battalion. The order was issued at Well Camp Alford at 8-00 p.m., 28th July 1916.  When he arrived in France he was transferred to the 14 (Service) Bat. Royal Warwickshire Regt. with the regimental number as 30313.

He was killed in action when serving with this unit on the 25/12/1916 [Christmas Day!] and is buried in grave I/H/8 in Brown's Road Military Cemetery, Festubert, Pas de Calais, France.

Family data from Richard Ball indicates that his mother-in-law gave him an old book -The Poetical Works of Tennyson - inscribed ' L/C Hammond, Hunts Cyclist Batt, Onley, Yorkshire'. This gift was made exactly 88 years from the day he was killed in France.

If you can help with any data on this Huntingdonshire Cyclist please contact me at huntscycles@btinternet.com

09/04/2012