Harry Hammett – Royal Artillery, 179 Battery, 59th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment

Gunner Harry Hammett – Royal Artillery, 179 Battery, 59^th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment

Birth and Family Background

Harry Hammett 

Harry Hammett was born in 1907 at Mumbles. He was the son of William Hammett and Ann Jane Davies.

1911 Census

The 1911 Census records the Hammett family residing at Cemetery Cottage, West Cross. William Hammett (42) was employed as the local grave digger, while his wife Annie (38) undertook household duties. Their children were William (16), a mason’s apprentice; Alfred (14) and Edwin (12), both attending school; Kathleen (9); John (7); Mary (6); Harry (4); and Graham (3).

1921 Census

By the time of the 1921 Census, the family were still living at Cemetery Cottage, West Cross. William Hammett (52) continued his work as a grave digger, now employed by Swansea Borough Corporation at Oystermouth Cemetery, while Annie (49) managed the household. Their children at this time were Alfred (25) and Edwin (20), both general labourers; Kathleen (20), a general domestic servant employed by Mrs Rosse of Broadway, Mumbles; John (17), a bowling green attendant employed by Swansea Borough Corporation at Oystermouth Bowling Green; Mary (14), undertaking household duties; Harry (14), an errand boy attending the chain at Langland Bay, employed by Swansea Borough Corporation; and Graham (14), who was attending school.

Marriage and Civilian Life

1939 Register 

In 1934, Harry Hammett married Winifred J. Richards. At the time of the 1939 Register, the couple were residing at 2 Castle Road, Norton. Harry was employed as a corporation general labourer, while Winifred undertook household duties.

Family Tragedy

Herald of Wales

In 1940, the Herald of Wales reported on a house fire in which Mrs Hammett and her children were killed. The newspaper article noted that Harry Hammett was on active service at the time of this tragedy.

Military Service

Harry Hammett served in the Royal Artillery, attaining the rank of Gunner. He was posted to 179 Battery, 59th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, a unit responsible for the air defence of vital military installations.

By mid-1943, the 59th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment was serving in India as part of the British Army’s build-up for operations against Japanese forces in Burma. Light Anti-Aircraft units were tasked with protecting airfields, ports, railway junctions, supply depots, and military camps, all of which were essential to sustaining Allied operations in the region.

Service conditions were demanding. Troops endured extreme heat, monsoon rains, tropical disease, and the hazards associated with handling anti-aircraft guns, ammunition, and vehicles. Although large-scale Japanese air attacks against India were limited, the threat remained real, and casualties occurred not only through enemy action but also as a result of the harsh operational environment.

Death and Burial

On 3^rd July 1943, while serving with 179 Battery, 59th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment in India, Gunner Harry Hammett was killed in action during this intensive period of overseas service.

He is buried at the Kirkee War Cemetery, India, where many British and Commonwealth servicemen who died while serving in the India and Burma theatres of the Second World War are laid to rest.