Gunner Charles Frank Hamm MM 1039641 born 10 January 1890 in Valley City, Illinois. A teamster, with 3 years previous service in 2nd Cavalry, U.S. Army. He attested with 239th Railway Construction Corps, 26 September 1916 in Montreal. Frank stood 5′ 10″ tall, 146 pounds, with fair complexion, brown eyes and brown hair. He was Baptist.
Canadian Overseas Railway Construction Corps
Organized in the spring of 1915 as a result of a request by the British Government for Canada to supply a railway construction unit for service in France.
At this time, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Colin W P Ramsey, a construction engineer on eastern line of the Canadian Pacific Railway. Firstly, mobilized at Saint John, and recruited by Canadian Pacific Railway throughout Canada. Then, left Saint John 14 June 1915 aboard HERSCHEL, and arrived in France 25 August 1915. Initially attached to 2nd and 6th Divisions of the Belgian Army. Returned to England 5 October 1915 for transfer to Salonika but orders rescinded on collapse of Serbia. Finally, returned to France 2 November 1915, and attached to Royal Engineer. Furthermore, absorbed with Canadian Railway Troops, 23 April 1918.
Hospitalization
Frank is in and out of hospital throughout his service, beginning at Valcartier Hospital (Herpes), 5 October 1916. Then, transferred to Halifax, No.10 Siege Battery, 30 October 1916, and admitted to Halifax Hospital (Gonorrhea), 22 December 1916. Finally, admitted to Nova Scotia Hospital (Diphtheria), 22 January 1917, and discharged 31 January 1917.
No. 10 Siege Battery
A/Bbdr Charles Frank Hamm transferred to No. 10 Siege Battery, 31 January 1917. At this time, the battery organized at Shorncliffe from personnel of the Reserve Artillery, and the Depot Commanded by Lieutenant G B Wetmore. Later, personnel absorbed into 4th, 6th and 7th Canadian Siege Batteries.
Military Medal
Immediately after arriving with his unit, during the night of 9 May 1917, Driver Frank Hamm and seven of his comrades of No.1 Section, 2nd Canadian Divisional Ammunition Column (CDAC) near Willerval in France, on duty packing ammunition to the 22nd Battery, 6th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery (CFA). However, the detonation of a large calibre shell against a nearby brick wall killed four (Driver Percy Richard Allaby 71, Driver Michael Andrew Harpell 883767, Driver Herbert Arnold Robertson 319948, & Driver Percy Beach 368 (La Targette British Cemetery)) and wounded three of the men, as well as killing and injuring an unknown number of their horses and mules. Then, immediately taking action, Driver Hamm carried the wounded men to the dressing station and cared for the animals, bringing his own injured mule four miles back to the wagon lines of his section.
Lieutenant-Colonel W. H. Harrison
Lieutenant-Colonel William Henry Harrison, commanding officer of the 2nd CDAC, recommended the soldier for a Military Medal.
For great gallantry on night of 9th instant near WILLERVAL, where he was on duty packing ammunition to the 22nd Battery, C.F.A. He was one of party of eight, four of whom were killed and three wounded, including the N.C.O. in charge, by the detonation of a large calibre shell against a brick wall nearby. By his promptitude in carrying the wounded to the Dressing Station and caring for the animals even to the point of bringing his own wounded mule four miles back to the D.A.C. Camp, he saved what was left of his party. The unusual and trying situation was handled magnificently by this Driver and I think him well worthy of decoration.
Lieutenant-Colonel W. H. Harrison
Return to England
Gunner Hamm admitted for Mumps, 28 June 1917, to Moore Barracks, 29 June 1917, and finally discharged 23 July 1917.
Return to France
Gunner Charles Frank Hamm posted to 4th C.D.A.C., 26 November 1917. 4th C.D.A.C. Trench Mortar Battery, 12 December 1917. At this time, two batteries, designated 4/C/1 and 4/C/2, organized in France in March 1916 with personnel from 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade. Later, amalgamated and designated 4th Canadian Light Trench Mortar Battery in July 1916. Commanded by Captain A.S. Morrison.
Gunner Charles Frank Hamm admitted to No.6 Convalescent Depot, Etaples, 14 May 1918, then to No.14 Convalescent Depot, 15 May 1918.
Deprived of Rank
Sentenced to be deprived of Rank, 13 June 1918, for while on Active Service conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline in that he struck a mule with a shovel, 12 June 1918.
The following month, Gunner Charles Frank Hamm admitted to No.7 C.C.S. (Herpes) 11 July 1918. Then, admitted to General Hospital, Hardelot (Shingles), 15 July 1918. In addition, Gunner Hamm admitted to Convalescent Depot, Ecault (Herpes), 5 August 1918. Then again, admitted to No.12 Canadian Field Ambulance (VDG), 10 January 1919. Canadian Special Hospital, Witley, 3 February 1919, and finally discharged 14 March 1919.
Gunner Charles Frank Hamm demobilized at Halifax on May 1919. Charles Frank Hamm died 27 June 1927, only 37 years old.
Military Medal & Two Bars
The Military Medal instituted on 25 March 1916. The medal awarded to Warrant Officers, Non-commissioned Officers and non-commissioned members for individual or associated acts of bravery on the recommendation of a Commander-in-Chief in the field. Canadians have received 13, 654 medals, including 848 first bars and 38 second bars, six of which earned while paying the Ultimate Sacrifice in France during the Great War,
Firstly, Lance Sergeant John Bernard Adamson MM & Two Bars 887422, Triangle Cemetery, Inchy-en-Artois.
Secondly, Sergeant William John Groves MM & Two Bars 451450, Valenciennes (St. Roch) Communal Cemetery.
Thirdly, Company Sergeant Major John Bercy Ironside MM & Two Bars 407019, Vimy Memorial.
Fourthly, Lance Corporal Joseph Thompson Milne MM & Two Bars 434307, Ligny-St.Flochel British Cemetery.
Furthermore, Lance Corporal Claude William Moore MM & Two Bars 151064, Vimy Memorial.
And finally, Sergeant Henry George Sivertz MM & Two Bars 707191, Drummond Cemetery.
More
Please subscribe to CEFRG to be notified by email when there are new posts. Subscription is free, and your email kept confidential.