Joseph Ashitey Hammond | |
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 Hammond in 2020 | |
| Born | Joseph Ashitey Hammond c. 1925 (age 99–100) Ghana |
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| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom Ghana |
| Branch |  Gold Coast Regiment |
| Years of service | 1943–1946 |
| Rank |
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| Unit |
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| Battles / wars | |
PrivateJoseph Ashitey Hammond (born c. 1925) is aGhanaianSecond World War veteran, known for his achievements in fundraising during theCOVID-19 pandemic. He is a veteran of theBurma campaign.
Hammond came to media attention in May 2020, after walking 14 miles (23 km) in a week to raise money for coronavirus charities.[1] He took his inspiration from the late Sir Thomas Moore, popularly known asCaptain Tom, a formerBritish Army officer who has similar footsteps in raising funds to support the vulnerable prior to his 100th birthday in April.[2]
Hammond joined theGold Coast Regiment, then part of theRoyal West African Frontier Force, on 31 July 1943. He was trained as a mechanic, and posted toTakoradi until November, when he was sent toKhulna with the 3rd Battalion, Gold Coast Regiment for further training. The battalion was attached to the82nd West African Division and served in western Burma (nowMyanmar), during which Hammond and his battalion were involved in heavy fighting.[3]
During the Allied capture of Kindaungyyi, Hammond developed an eye infection, and was sent toIndia for treatment, where he would remain until the end of the war. He returned home in December 1945, and was demobilised in January 1946.[4] He is known to be the only survivor to have served in the Gold Coast Regiment.[5]
In May 2020 during the globalCOVID-19 pandemic, Hammond embarked on a daily walk to raise $600,000 to support frontline workers and vulnerable veterans across Africa by walking two miles in a day for a week.[6] On the final day of his walk, 25 May,Africa Day, he was joined by Iain Walker,High Commissioner of the United Kingdom to Ghana.[7]
He was congratulated byPrince Harry, Duke of Sussex in June, and was informed later the same month he was to receive aCommonwealth Points of Light award from the LateElizabeth II, as head of theCommonwealth of Nations.[8][9] (Hammond had previously met Prince Harry in November 2019, at theField of Remembrance war memorial event atWestminster Abbey.)[8][9] In July, having raised £40,000, he was visited at home inOsu by the British Deputy High Commissioner, Thomas Hartley, and the Britishdefence attaché to Ghana, Lieutenant Colonel Alastair Mckechnie, who delivered him his Points of Lights award and a handwritten letter from KingCharles, Prince of Wales.[9]
Pandemic walk - 2020
Hammond recently clocked the 14 miles walk in a week to raise funds to support the vulnerable on 25 May. He hopes to embark on another walk to meet his overall goal of 30 miles.[10][11]
GUBA Special Achievement Award - 2018
Joseph Hammond was honoured for his veteran service at the 2018 GUBA, aGhana UK Based Achievement Awards scheme which is set to award British-Ghanaians and diasporans for their outstanding work on the African continent.[12]