Greetings
I have acquired a pair of medals to Albert Hammond who served in `G' Company of the 2nd (Special Service) Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment of Infantry. The Queen's medal has the clasps Cape Colony, Paardeberg and Transvaal (7933 Pte A. Hammond, Rl. Candn: Regt.) and the two-clasp King's medal is named "1573 Tpr: A. Hammond. S.A.C".
Hammond was a member of `G’ Company of the 2nd (Special Service) Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment of Infantry. That company was closely involved in breaking the Boer defence at Paardeberg on the night of 26-27 February 1900. I find no reference to him being a casualty, so I cannot explain why he is not entitled to the clasps for Driefontein and Johannesburg, which many of the Royal Canadians received. I would appreciate it if perhaps someone could enlighten me.
He later served with the South African Constabulary based at Heidelberg, Transvaal. That explains the Transvaal clasp.
I believe Hammond is referred to in the newspaper article entitled 'Departure of the Parisian - Return of the Canadian Soldiers', which reports that the liner left Halifax, Nova Scotia on its winter voyage. It states that the passengers who attracted most attention were a group of Royal Canadians returning from South Africa. "They were fine, soldierly-looking fellows, but bore distinct traces of the hardships they had suffered. Among them was Mr. W. M'Carthy, whose first act on reaching Liverpool was to enquire as to the result of the Canadian elections. When informed by Mr. Ennis that his bother, Mr. Leighton M'Carthy, had been returned for Simcoe, Ontario, his elation can be readily imagined. Another notable figure among the Canadian Volunteers was Private Hammond, an expert exponent of the lassoo, who distinguished himself on scout duty by overtaking and lassoing a cyclist Boer despatch rider, who refused to surrender, and returning to camp with the despatches and the bicycle as trophies of his prowess. Prior to embarking on the Parisian, the Royal Canadians were received by the Lord Mayor at the Town Hall." The source of the article has not yet been identified by me though. Hammond gave his occupation as that of a farmer in his military records.
Hammond was discharged from the Royal Canadians on 3 November 1900 on his return to Canada and later enlisted in the South African Constabulary. He died at Wakkerstroom in the South Eastern Transvaal on 21 January 1959.
Best regards
Peter Jordi
