245496 Pte. John George Hammell British Army 8th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment from:Keighley (d.10th Jul 1916) John Hammell served with the 8th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment
On the 10th of July 1916, 2nd Lieutenant Bell was detached with a bombing party to the 8th Battalion who were ordered to attack a position to the west of the village. By 5.30 in the evening, they had successfully captured the village along with 9 machine guns and more than 300 unwounded prisoners.
Then, from 7.30 onwards on that evening, the Germans counter-attacked. At 9:00 that evening, one of the counter attacks threatened to become more dangerous when a group of 40+ German soldiers were seen to be lining a hedge at Point 93 on the road to Mametz. A hasty barricade was built and machine guns were put into position. The defence was successful and drove off the German soldier counter attack but John Hammell, and many others including 2nd Lieutenant Bell lost their lives during the thick of the action.
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