On 22 May 1917 The West Australian published the following, “Sergeant F. W. Hammond, is reported missing. It is only a few weeks since that the news came through that he had won the coveted Military Medal for gallantry in the Field. Sergeant Hammond, who is 23 years of age, is well known in Queen’s Park sporting circles, in which it was considered that his many brilliant performances for the British Association football team marked him down as a player worthy to be considered for interstate football. His parents are anxiously awaiting further news.”
Frederick Hammond was taken prisoner by the Germans on 11 April 1917 during an action to capture an enemy trench at Bullecourt. Two months earlier his actions in the field saw him awarded with a Military Medal.
This Non Commissioned Officer showed great pluck, daring and initiative on the night of 24th/25th February, 1917. He personally went ahead of the bombing party and reconnoitred PORK Trench North of GUEUDECOURT. Scouted out in front of trench so that the enemy could not spring a surprise. This work called for courage and coolness beyond the ordinary and a great deal of credit for occupying the trench is due to this Non Commissioned Officer. Commonwealth Gazette No. 133
Sergeant Hammond spent 20 months as a POW and was repatriated to England at war’s end, before returning to Australia in 1919. Instead of soccer, he played hockey and was a popular centre forward for Perth’s Suburban club for over a decade. He passed away at the age of 76 in Dalkeith, WA, on 5 May 1970.