Arthur George Hammond VC

Name: Arthur George Hammond

Conflict: Afghan War

Gazetted: October 18, 1881

Service: Indian Army

Place/date of birth: Dawlish, Devon/September 28, 1843

Rank when awarded VC (and later highest rank): Captain (later Brigadier General and Sir)

Date of bravery: December 14, 1879

London Gazette citation:

Bengal Staff Corps. Captain (now Major) Arthur George Hammond.

For conspicuous coolness and gallantry at the action on the Asmai Heights, near Kabul, on the 14th December, 1879, in defending 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; and again, on the retreat down the hill, in stopping to assist in carrying away a wounded Sepoy, the enemy being not sixty yards off, firing heavily all the time.

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Other decorations: KCB, DSO

Place/date of death: Camberley, Surrey/April 20, 1919

Grave/memorials: St Michael’s Churchyard, Camberley, Surrey

Origin of VC to the Lord Ashcroft collection: Purchased privately, 2003

Current location of VC: Displayed on rotation at The Lord Ashcroft Gallery: Extraordinary Heroes exhibition, Imperial War Museum