Philip Hamond

A carte-de-visite portrait of Philip Hamond (1838-1861).

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. 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.’ His grave at Kohala [present day Pakistan] is marked ‘Sacred to the memory of Philip Hamond, Esq., Cornet 21st Light Dragoons, who died suddenly near this spot on the 23rd August 1861 when on his way to Cashmere. Deeply regretted by his brother officers by whom this tablet is erected.’ Though slightly damaged now, the headstone is still standing today.

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.

Photographed on 27 October 1860 by Camille Silvy of London.

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.