The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. J Hammerton

Jack Hammerton was born on 15th March 1915 in Slough, the son of William Hamilton, a blacksmith and Maud Hammerton (nee Kipping).

He was educated at Slough Grammar School. After leaving he worked for the Woolwich Equitable Building Society.

He joined the RAFVR in March 1939 as an Airman u/t Pilot and was called up on 1st September 1939. He carried out his training at 8EFTS and 10FTS.

Initially with 3 Squadron, Hammerton was posted to 615 Squadron at Prestwick in early October 1940.

During a squadron patrol on 6th November in Hurricane L1886 Hammerton was last seen at 25,000 feet, leaving the formation, apparently in pursuit of enemy aircraft. He was killed when he crashed in bad visibility near the railway line at Noah's Ark, near Sevenoaks.

Hammerton was 25. He is buried in Stoke Road Cemetery, Slough.

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On 23rd September 2017 the Shoreham Aircraft Museum unveiled a memorial stone at the crash site.