The Soldier's Details

Surname:
Hammer
First Name:
Harry
Nick Name:
Pop
Rank:
Staff Sergeant (Promoted on 9.2.1942 by HQ Coy Capt McEwen)
Regimental #:
WX8718
Classification:
Driver
Company:
Company Headquarters, No. 3 Platoon. (replaced W.O. II V. Keay, who was transferred to reinforcements)
Enlisted:
23.10.1940
Discharged:
29.11.1945
DOB:
18.02.1904
Place of Birth:
Boulder, Western Australia
Father's Name:
Harry Hammer
Mothers's Name:
Martha Hammer (nee McFadden)
Religion:
Church of England
Pre-war Occupation:
Tearooms Proprietor
Singapore:
Selarang Camp Changi
Force:
‘A’ Force Burma, Green Force, No. 3 Battalion
Camps Thailand:
Tamarkan, Chungkai, Tamuang
Camps Burma:
Victoria Point, Tavoy, Moulmein, 4.8km,14km,75km,105km,
Return Details 1945:
Thailand‐Singapore by aircraft; Singapore-Fremantle, HMT Tamaroa

General Description

 

Harry was a Goldfields boy, born Boulder 1904 to Phillip Henry ‘Harry’ Hammer and Martha Jan Adelaide McFadden who married 1898 Ballarat, Victoria.  Harry’s father died 1947 at Albany and his mother died 6 Aug 1970 Perth.
Harry was the fourth born son.  Phillip and Martha’s second son lived only 12 months.
Photograph property of ‘Pop’ Hammer.

 

Prior to enlisting Oct 1940 Harry had spent 4 years RANR.
He trained as a Driver, joined Company Headquarters under CO Capt O.S. McEwin (who was KIA 11 Feb Hill 200)  replacing W.O. H V Keay who was moved to ‘E’ Company HQ SRB. (Keay lost his life with ‘E’ Force Borneo, dying of malaria May 1945 Sandakan).  Hammer was promoted to Staff Sergeant 9 Feb 1941.
At Singapore, he saw action at Jurong Road, Ulu Pandan and Buona Vista.

 

With ‘A’ Force Burma Green Force No. 3 Battalion Harry went to following Camps:
Victoria Point – removed landmines and repaired aerodrome.
Tavoy – repaired and extended aerodrome
Moulmein
4.8k
14k
75k
105k
Tamakan
Chungkai
Tamuang
Harry was recovered from Thailand at war’s end flown to Singapore then sailed ‘Tamaroa’ to Fremantle.

 

Below:  Harry seated front on left.

Above:  Hammer 2nd from Left

 

 

Above:  Harry Hammer
Below:  Message sent by Harry mentioning mate A J Baker.

 

Photos below were taken pre-war.
Harry 'Pop' Hammer
Harry ‘Pop’ Hammer
Harry Hammer & family
Harry Hammer & family at railway station.

 

forces.

Printed Newspaper October 1943

Above:  Newspaper October 1945

Hammer - Coolgardie Miner 18 October 1945, page 1

 

 

Hammer Coolgardie P1 Friday 11 October 1946, page 1

Hammer Coolgardie Miner P2 Friday 11 October 1946, page 1 - Version 2

Hammer Coolgardie Miner P 3 Friday 11 October 1946, page 1 - Version 3

Hammer’s parents are Philip Henry ‘Harry’ Hammer and Martha Jane Adelaide McFadden.

 

Hammer Coolgardie Miner (WA _ 1935 - 1954), Thursday 4 November 1948, page 1

 

Harry Hammer – Discharge Papers
Harry and Vera married 1924 Fremantle.
Harry died 13 July 1979 at Midland Junction and buried Woorooloo. His wife Vera (nee McDonald) died 14 Jan 1998.
Below:  The excitement as HMT ‘Tamaroa’ sails into Fremantle harbour carrying former POWs home from Singapore.

Arriving Fremantle on board ‘Tamaroa’ 1945 – passengers moved to one side of ship

 

 

In 1910, aged 7 years Harry became separated from his mother, family and a party of church picnickers.  He was not noticed missing until 7pm on return to Boulder, but hadn’t been seen since 1pm.  A police posse on horseback were immediately sent out to track Harry.   He was found the next morning walking in the right direction.  He was very lucky – too often young children who were lost in country/outback Australia in early days were never found.

 

 

Camp Locations:

  • Selarang Camp Changi - Singapore
  • Chungkai, 60k - Thailand
  • Tamarkan, Tha Makham 56k - Thailand
  • Tamuang, Tha Muang 39k - Thailand
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