Philip Hamond
(1838-1861)
7 October 1860

Volume 2, page 60, sitting 1540.

Born in 1838, he was the third son of Anthony Hamond of High House, West Acre, Norfolk. His mother was Mary Ann née Chaworth-Musters. Educated at Brighton College and at Eton, in 1856, aged 17, he went up to Magdalene College, Cambridge; he subsequently became a Cornet in the 21st Light Dragoons.

He died, aged only 22, in India of sunstroke on 23 August 1861. His grave at Kohala [present day Pakistan] was marked ‘Sacred to the memory of Philip Hamond, Esqr., Cornet 21st Light Dragoons, who died suddenly near this spot on the 23rd August 1861 when on his way to Kashmir. Deeply regretted by his brother officers by whom this tablet is erected.’ According to an announcement of his death in the Naval and Military Gazette (26 October 1861), he died ‘whilst on a march from Murree to Cashmere.’

Norfolk Record Office holds a packet of his letters written to his parents, his brothers and sisters Tommy, Dick and Fanny, and to the family nurse, Nanny. These contain much on sport in England and India, as well as descriptions of regiment life, the Indian countryside and severe floods at Peshawur, including sketches showing the route of a march from Rawlpindi towards the Indus with comments on local sport. Other letters describe skating at Cambridge, building works at High House and agriculture on the Westacre estate, including the use of a mowing machine.

[From an album probably compiled by either George Charles Pratt (1799-1866), 2nd Marquess Camden or by his son, John Charles Pratt (1840-1872), from 1866 3rd Marquess Camden.]