Jesse Hammond

Failsworth Tribunal 15 March 1916
Reported Oldham Chronicle 18 March 1916

John Hammond and his brother Jesse of 30 Hale-lane, Failsworth, put in letters from the Rev W S Green, pastor at Beulah United Methodist Church, stating that they had held war in abhorrence ever since he had known them. John was a teacher at the school and both gave as their grounds for applying that they were followers of Jesus Christ and could not take any part in war. The taking of life was a direct negation to the teaching of Christ. John said he had held these views since he was 17 years of age and began to teach. That was 13 years ago.

Councillor Johnson: You would not have very set convictions at that age, would you?
- No. When a man begins to teach he does not realise what he is teaching but when he gets older he realises his responsibilities and is careful what he does teach.

Both brothers said they belonged to the Fellowship of Reconciliation and the No-Conscription Fellowship.

John claimed the right to stay in the room and hear the tribunal discuss the decision so long as the military representative stayed. It was pointed out to him, however, that the tribunal had the power to discuss their decision in private and could also, if they wished, ask the military representative to withdraw.

The applicant failed to see it in that light, although the regulation was read to him. The military representative said he was willing to retire if the tribunal wished him to do so but they would not allow him to go.

The applicants were asked to retire and on returning to the room, both were told they had to go to the non combatant corps.

John began to read a number of documents which, he said, showed that the tribunal could give him absolute exemption on certain grounds but they refused to hear him and told he could appeal against their decision if he wished.

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Manchester Appeal Tribunal 5 April 1916
Reported Oldham Chronicle 8 April 1916

At the sitting of the South East Lancashire Appeals Tribunal at Manchester Town Hall on Wednesday, claims were made by conscientious objectors from Failsworth. Mr J M Yates KC presided and all the appeals were dismissed, the local tribunal's decisions being upheld …

… Jesse Hammond (26 years) assistant cashier and accounts collector for Messrs Kendal Milne and Co of Manchester, who is brother of John Hammond, claimed absolute exemption. As a follower of Jesus Christ he could not take part in the war, involving as it did, the destruction of life, it was a negation of the teaching of the Saviour. He considered Christ would refuse to take part in any war.

The Chairman: You are a bold man. What body do you belong to?
- The United Methodists. I cannot accept non combatant service.
The Chairman: Then you will have to go to combatant service, that is all. We dismiss the appeal.

His appeal against the decision made at the Failsworth Tribunal was turned down.
He was sent to the Non-Combatant Corps.

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The WO 363 records for Jesse Hammond survive (held at The National Archives, available online via Find My Past):

Jesse Hammond was 5ft 4½ins tall and weighed 7 sts 6 lbs.
He was enlisted in the 1 Western Non Combatant Corps and on 2 May 1916 was sent to Kinmel Park. His regimental number was 918. He refused to sign his papers.

He was court martialled on 11 May 1916, his brother John was charged with exactly the same offence at the same court martial.
John was a witness for the defence.
The Charge Sheet read:

"The accused, No 918 Private Jesse Hammond, No.1 Western Company, Non-Combatant Corps, a man deemed to be enlisted in H M Regular Forces for General Service with the Colours or in the Reserve for the period of the War under the provisions of the Military Service Act, 1916, is charged with :-
Disobeying in such a manner as to show a wilful defiance of authority a lawful command given personally by his superior officer in the execution of his duties in that he, on 3rd May 1916, outside the orderly room No. 1 Western Company, Non-Combatant Corps, No. 19 Camp, Kinmel Park, when personally ordered by Lieutenant W S Brocklehurst, acting Commander of the Company, to stand at attention, refused to do so, saying, "I refuse to obey the order" or words to that effect."

He was sentenced to 2 years with hard labour at Wormwood Scrubs, commuted to 112 days.
He was released on 12 August 1916. He accepted work with the Brace Committee and subsequently spent time at Wakefield and Dartmoor Work Centres.

He was discharged 31 March 1920

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He has an entry on the Pearce List.

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Born Darwen, Lancashire, 14 June 1889
Died Bromsgrove 7 January 1960

1911 census :
30 Hale Lane, Failsworth
Single with parents, brother John and sister Helena Dorothy
Occ. Clerk in a cabinet works.

1939 register :
96 Middleton Hall Road, Kings Norton, Birmingham
Single with sister Helena Dorothy, also single
Occ. Secretary, factory

Contributed by Dorothy Bintley