(1889-1937)
Occupation: Farmer
Rank: Quarter Master Sergeant
ServiceNumber: 6/247
Force: NZEF
Family
Godfrey John Hammond was born 30 June 1889 and brought up on his parents’ farm in Appleby, Nelson. His parents were Alexander Godfrey and Emma Jane Hammond and he had a younger sister, Daisy Mabel Hammond. He attended Appleby School and after leaving, although recommended for Nelson College, worked with his father on their farm.
Pre-War
For some years he played senior rugby football for the Waimea Club and represented Nelson and the South Island in rugby football. As a young man he was a member of the Stoke Rifles, afterwards continuing as a sergeant in the Territorials.
1914
Godfrey commenced duty on 15 August and sailed from Wellington on 16 October for the Middle East, Regimental No. 6/247. He was promoted to Sergeant on 25 August and Platoon Sergeant on 22 December. He escorted 400 Turkish prisoners to Cairo after the Battle of Somalia.
1915
He was a member of the Canterbury Infantry Battalion with the Main Body and was wounded on 8 May at Gallipoli and 4 ½ months afterwards was invalided home with a serious bullet wound to his right knee. He returned to Wellington on 31 October in the S. S. Willochra having left Egypt on 25 September and was finally discharged from duty on 18 February 1916.
Post-War
Soon after his discharge from the army Godfrey married his fiancée, Edith Maud McIntosh Cameron. In recognition of his war service Godfrey was allocated a 155 acre returned soldier settlement farm in Owhango near Taumarunui in the King Country, North Island. There Godfrey and his wife established their home and brought up their two children.
Godfrey lived and farmed until his death in the Taumarunui Hospital at the age of 48 years on 13 November 1937.