| Place | Europe: France, Picardie, Somme, Amiens Harbonnieres Area, Hamel Area, Hamel |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | H06020 |
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Black & white - Print silver gelatin |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
Studio portrait of Lieutenant Henry Eric Hammel, 2nd Field Company Engineers (FCE) from St Kilda, ...
Description
Studio portrait of Lieutenant Henry Eric Hammel, 2nd Field Company Engineers (FCE) from St Kilda, Melbourne, Victoria. A 25 year old draftsman prior to enlisting on 5 July 1915, he embarked for overseas service as 2255 Sapper Hammel with the 11th Reinforcements from Sydney aboard HMAT Beltana (A72) on 9 November 1915. After disembarking in Egypt he joined the 2nd FCE and went with them to France in March 1916. Following his appointment as a Second Lieutenant on 28 May 1917, he was then promoted to Lieutenant (Lt) on 28 August 1917. At 5am on 6 May 1918, the 2nd FCE officers’ billet (accommodation) at Strazeele, France was subjected to an enemy barrage of 4.2 howitzer shells. The last shell burst on the roof just as the officers were vacating the building and five officers, including Lt Hammel, were wounded. Lt Hammel was evacuated to the 14th General Hospital at Wimereux for medical treatment and later died from his wounds on 22 May 1918. He is buried in the Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, France.