Arthur George Hammond

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Arthur George Hammond VC, KCB, DSO (28 September 1843-20 April 1919) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

He was 36 years old, and a captain in the Bengal Staff Corps, Indian Army during the Second Afghan War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 14 December 1879 at the action on the Asmai Heights, near Kabul, Afghanistan, Captain Hammond defended the top of the hill with a rifle and fixed bayonet against large numbers of the enemy, while the 72nd Highlanders and Guides were retiring. Again, on the retreat down the hill he stopped and helped to carry a wounded sepoy, the enemy being only 60 yards off and firing heavily all the time.

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He later achieved the rank of Brigadier General.

Arthur Hammond was born in Dawlish, Devon in 1843 and, on leaving Sherborne School, graduated from Addiscombe Military College in 1861. After serving in the Prince of Wales's Volunteer Regiment he joined the Bengal Staff Corps and Queen Victoria's Own Corps of Guides.

In addition to the Afghan War of 1878-1880, he served in the Jowaki Campaign of 1877-1878 and also in the Hazara Campaigns of 1888 and 1891 and the Tirah Campaign of 1897-1898.

Following his long military career, Arthur Hammond retired to Camberley in Surrey where he named his residence Sherborne House. He died in April 1919 and is buried in St. Michael's Churchyard, Camberley.

His VC is in private hands.

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