| Surname: | Hammond |
| Initials: | C J |
| Rank: | Lance Corporal |
| Army Number: | 5879814 |
| Notes: | CMP. Formerly Northamptonshire Regiment. Died, Shoeburyness, Essex, 29/1/29, he left £3.11.00 in Army Register of Soldiers' Effects, 1901-1929. Cyril Jams Hammond. Extract from the Aberdeen Press and Journal. 1/2/29, A verdict of suicide during temporary insanity was returned at the inquest at Shoebury yesterday on Cyril James Hammond (20), of the Military Foot Police, Shoebury Garrison, who was found hanging from a tree at the garrison on Tuesday morning. Cyril James Hammond. Extract from the Ballymena Weekly Telegraph, 9/2/29. "MY HAND IS STEADY" SOLDIERS SUICIDE DRAMA, "JEALOUSY WITHOUT ANY CAUSE." A Story of love and jealousy was unfolded at an inquest at Shoeburyness Barracks on Lance Corporal Cyril Hammond, of the Military Foot Police, who was found hanging from a tree in the garrison grounds. At the outset the relatives of the dead man asked the corner to exclude the Press representatives. The Coroner replied that he could not do that. Two letters written by the dead man were read. One was addressed to his parents at St. Ives, Huntingdonshire, and said "Don't blame Lil for this." It is entirely my own fault, I have tried by fair means or foul to get her back. I forgive everyone who has sinned against me and trust everyone will forgive me." The second letter was addressed to Miss L Carpenter, of Alfred Street, West Bromwich, with whom it was stated deceased had kept company. it read - "Please forgive me for the course I am taking. I know I am a liar, but I am one of millions on this earth. I have a good heart. When I tell lies they are usually well meant. only one of my lies has done hurt, and that was when I got a fellow 14 days' detention at Blackdown on April 14, 1928, for which I am sorry. They no doubt will think I am insane. My hand is at present steady, and my head clear, and at nine o'clock tonight it will be all over." on the back of the envelope containing this letter was written - " I have destroyed all your letters. they shall not read them. That fellow is married." WHAT HE TOLD COMRADE. L/Cpl Foster, of the Military Foot Police said Hammond had told him Miss Carpenter was a probationer nurse at West Bromwich. Once Hammond told him that if he found her carrying on with anyone else he would get a revolver and shoot himself and her. Provost Sergeant West, who found Hammond hanging, said that on one occasion Hammond told him that his young lady had asked permission to go to the Palis de Danse at West Bromwich, but he had written back refusing permission. miss Carpenter. of Alfred Street, West Bromwich said she was now an envelope worker, but was formerly employed at Birmingham Hospital. She had known Hammond since last March, and in November he gave her a ring, but the next day she gave it back to him because they quarrelled. There had been no recent quarrel. He had never written to her about the Palis de Danse, and she did not go there. She had not been going out with anyone else and did not understand the meaning of the phrase on the back of the envelope -"That fellow is married." She added that Hammond was very jealous, especially when when happened to bump into fellows. The Coroner said there was no doubt that this unfortunate man suffered from extreme jealousy without any cause, and that no doubt turned his brain. A verdict of suicide during temporary insanity was returned. |