Heathcote Hammer

Major General Heathcote Howard Hammer, CBE, DSO & Bar, ED (15 February 1905 – 10 March 1961) was a senior officer in the Australian Army, seeing service during the Second World War. After working as a traveling salesman he joined the Militia, Australia's part-time military force, in 1923, starting out as an enlisted soldier before being commissioned as an officer. By 1939, having served with several infantry units, he had reached the rank of major. Following the outbreak of the Second World War, Hammer volunteered for overseas service and fought in Greece, North Africa, New Guinea and Bougainville. He remained in the military after the war, rising to command at divisional level before retiring in 1959. He died in 1961 at the age of 56.

Heathcote Hammer
Brigadier Heathcote Hammer at Siar, New Guinea in June 1944
Nickname(s)"Tack", "Sledge"
Born(1905-02-15)15 February 1905
Southern Cross, Western Australia
Died10 March 1961(1961-03-10) (aged 56)
Brighton, Victoria
Buried
Springvale Botanical Cemetery
AllegianceAustralia
Service/branchAustralian Army
Years of service1923–1959
RankMajor General
Commands held3rd Division (1956–59)
2nd Armoured Brigade (1953–56)
15th Brigade (1943–45)
2/48th Infantry Battalion (1942–43)
Battles/warsSecond World War
AwardsCommander of the Order of the British Empire
Distinguished Service Order & Bar
Efficiency Decoration
Mentioned in Despatches
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