3522 Private George James Hammond - 44th Battalion AIF
George James Hammond was born in Beaconsfield Fremantle in 1897 to Joseph and Mary Hammond. His father Joseph died in Fremantle in 1899, leaving him to be raised by his mother. They were then living in Attfield Street.
George was educated at Beaconsfield Primary School and after leaving school took up training to be a cook. They were then living at 10 Francisco Street Beaconsfield (later renumbered to 2 Francisco).
They also were residing at Alexander Road South Fremantle prior to the Great War.
George enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force on the 27th April 1917 and was accepted as fit for service. The medical examiner recorded his physical attributes as;
Height - 5 feet 4 inches;
Weight - 119lbs;
Chest Measurement - 32-34 inches;
Complexion - Fresh;
Eyes - Blue;
Hair - Fair.
Upon his successful enlistment George was sent to Blackboy Hill Camp where he was assigned to the 9th reinforcements to the 44th Battalion AIF. This group trained in WA for the next few months and then entrained for Albany where they boarded the transport ship on the 23rd July 1917.
The ship then set sail for England and arrived at Liverpool on the 16th September 1917. After being disembarked George and his group were then sent to the 11th Training Battalion at Durrington Camp on the Salisbury Plains.
Unfortunately, his records are sparse on detail but it appears that George was found to be medically unfit for service on reaching England. On the 21st December 1917 George was returned to Australia.
George was discharged from the AIF on the 27th February 1918.
He then returned to live in Beaconsfield at 121 Hampton Road (later renumbered to 85).
By 1922 he was living at 11 Alexandra road (later renamed Wray Avenue) and he was working as a yardman. He then returned to 121 Hampton Road.
His mother died in Fremantle in 1934, after which George moved to Northam where he worked as a labourer.
George Hammond died in Armadale on the 8th July 1956 aged 59. He was buried in Fremantle Cemetery plot Anglican MON A4 0197.
