Heathcote Hammer

Major General Heathcote Howard Hammer CBE, DSO & Bar (15 February 1905 – 10 March 1961) was a senior officer in the Australian Army, seeing service during the Second World War.

Early years
Born on 15 February 1905 in Southern Cross, Western Australia, he later lived in Bendigo, Victoria and married Mary Frances Morrissey at St Patrick's Catholic Cathedral, Melbourne, on 26 October 1935.

Pre-World War II
In 1926 he was commissioned as a lieutenant in the 8th Battalion, an infantry unit of the Militia. By 1939 he had achieved the rank of major.

World War II
Following the outbreak of the war, he enlisted in the Second Australian Imperial Force on 8 June 1940, volunteering for overseas service.

After a series of regimental postings, including brigade major of 16th Brigade, Hammer was sent to the Middle East in 1941. After serving in Greece, the following year he was promoted to lieutenant colonel and placed in command of the 2/48th Battalion, the most decorated Australian infantry battalion of the war. Although he was wounded in October 1942 by a gunshot in his right cheek during the fighting around El Alamein, he returned to the battalion and continued to command it until it was withdrawn from the Middle East and brought back to Australia in early 1943. In January 1943 he was invested with the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) for his actions in the Middle East.

In June he was promoted to brigadier and given command of the 15th Brigade. He remained in command of the brigade until the end of the war, commanding it through the fighting in New Guinea and Bougainville. For his service in New Guinea he received a Bar to his DSO in 1944 and in 1945 was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

Post-World War II
After the war he became Commissioner for Repatriation in Victoria, Australia and continued his military career in the CMF. In 1947 he received a belated Mentioned in Despatches. In 1953 he was placed in command of the 2nd Armoured Brigade. In 1956 he was promoted to major general and took command of the 3rd Division.

Retirement
He retired in 1959 and died on 10 March 1961.

Honours and awards
Incomplete - under construction