John 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.

The first appellant was John Hammond (29 years) a grocer's manager of 30 Hale-lane, Failsworth. He claimed absolute exemption on conscientious grounds. He was a member of the United Methodist Church and he claimed, as a follower of Jesus Christ, that he could not take any part in the war, nor be involved in the taking of life, as it was a direct negation of the teachings of the Saviour.

The Chairman: You know more intimately than most people about our Saviour?
Without any further questions the applicant, who produced a batch of papers and documents, was ordered to go for non combatant service.

Hammond: Can you give me the reasons for your refusal?
The Chairman: Our decision may be right but our reasons might be wrong.
Hammond: Can I have a postponement for a month to give me chance to appeal?
- You cannot appeal; there is no principle involved.
Hammond: Can you tell me why and in what way my application is weak?
- Which part of your two claims do you allude to?
Hammond: The first claim only was discussed at the local tribunal. They never asked me any questions.
- Very probably they accepted what you said.
I take it they thought I had a conscientious objection. Cannot you see that non combatant service is as bad as the others?
- That is where we do not agree with you.

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 John Hammond survive (held at The National Archives, available online via Find My Past):

John Hammond was 5 ft 3½ ins tall
He was enlisted in the 1 Western Non Combatant Corps and on 2 May 1916 was sent to Kinmel Park. His regimental number was 917. He refused to sign his papers.

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

"The accused, No 917 Private John 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 at Knutsford and Dartmoor Work Centres with the Brace Committee and also spent time at road making at Clare, Suffolk.

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, 4 December 1886
Died Birmingham, 9 June 1964

1911 census :
30 Hale Lane, Failsworth
Single with parents, brother Jesse and sister Helena Dorothy
Occ. Co-operative grocery assistant

1939 Register:
165 Gibbins Road, Birmingham
Married to Florence, daughter Margaret E, born 14 June 1932
Occ. Check weighing clerk

Contributed by Dorothy Bintley