Hopedale History November 1, 2006 No. 71 Lowell Hammond Save the date! The third Crystal Ball, sponsored by the Friends of Historic Hopedale, will be held at the Radisson Hotel in Milford on February 3, 2007. See the Rockettes at the Wang. Tickets for the show (Tuesday, December 19 at 7:30), sponsored by the Hopedale Cultural Council, are $85. Orchestra seating and a bus trip to and from the show are included in the price. For more information, call Billi Manning at 478-0929. Wildflower season is pretty well over, but if you’d like to take a look at one of the last ones of the year, here’s the rather weird looking witch hazel. More Hopedale Pond pictures – taken a few days after the ones I sent the link to two weeks ago. Draper pictures, from Freedom Street and the remains of the west approach to the Hope Street Bridge, taken on October 15. <><><><><><><><><><> With Veterans’ Day just a bit over a week away, I thought this would be the time for an article on Lowell Hammond, the first Hopedale serviceman killed in action during World War II. Lowell Hammond Killed In Action In the Far East Loses Life “In the Defense of His Country,” Mother Advised by Telegram Last Night – Father Absent When Message Arrived HOPEDALE – May 12 – The horror of war and its frightful consequence became a stern reality to the entire community last night when the sad news was received of the killing on May 8, “somewhere in the Far East,” of Lowell K. Hammond, 26, machine gunner on a light bomber, and son of Mr. and Mrs. Leon R. Hammond, 8 Union Street. The boy, the first war victim in this immediate, section lost his life “in action” and “in defense of his country.” The action is presumed to have taken place in Australia as Hammond was last heard from by his mother eight weeks ago when he wrote her that he had arrived there after a safe voyage. The message concerning the hero’s death was received from the War Department last night just 24 hours after the announcement that reached Milford concerning the wounding of Lt. George T. Trudell and Seaman Mesag Manoogian of that town, and also the fact that their names had been placed on the Navy casualty list. The news of the fatality caused quite a stir here and spread rapidly. Many friends called at the Hammond home during the evening to express sympathy to the mother and other members of the family. The telegram, signed by Adjt. Gen. Ulison, was as follows: “The Secretary of War desires me to express deep regret that your son, Lowell K. Hammond, was killed in action in defense of his country in the Far East on May 8. Letter follows.” Lowell Knight Hammond was a machine gunner in the 13th Light Bombardment squad and enlisted in December 1940. He was visiting his parents at the time of the Pearl Harbor disaster, Dec. 7, 1941, and received orders to report to his base at once. Later his mother received news of his safe arrival in Australia. The deceased was born in Hopedale, Dec. 11, 1915, son of Leon R. and Flora Messinger Hammond. He graduated from the high school in 1936 and from Stockbridge Agricultural school two years later. At the time he enlisted he was employed as florist assistant at the Whitney greenhouses, Northboro. He was a member of the Unitarian Church and past president of the Wilson Guild. He was a member of the cross country team at the high school and was popular and highly esteemed by everyone. At the time the message was received Mr. Hammond was not at home and did not learn of his son’s death until late last night. In addition to parents he is survived by two brothers, Robert and Freeman. Milford Daily News For a picture and four more articles on Lowell Hammond, click here. PS While I was in the library a couple of weeks ago, a guy wearing a backpack came in the door and walked over to the computer in the reading room. He had a cardboard sign hanging on the pack that said, “WALKACROSSMASS.COM.” I went over to talk to him, and he ended up spending the night camped in our backyard. The next morning Elaine made a big bacon and eggs breakfast for the three of us, and then I walked along as far as the post office with him. I would have gone further, but I had other places to go and things to do. Anyway, if you’d like to know more about BJ (BJ Hill, that is) and his walk from Williamstown to Provincetown, you may be able to contact him at this site. http: //walkacrossmass.wordpress.com/111/
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