The Brecon Radnor Express - 26th April 1917

Knighton Airman's Sacrifice.

LIEUTENANT A, J. HAMAR.

As announced in our last issue, Lieut. A. J. Hamar,  Royal Flying Corps (55th Squadron), son of Mr and Mrs W. Hamar, Hill Crest, Knighton, gave his life for king and country on the 8th inst. We are now in a position to give the following telegram and letters, referring to the gallant young officer's heroism and death:-

(Copy of Wire)

"To W. Hamar, Hill Crest, Knighton. - Deeply regret to inform you that Lieut. A. J. Hamar, Royal Flying Corps, 55th Squadron, was admitted to New Zealand Stationary Hospital, Amiens, April 8th, dangerously ill, and died result of compound fracture arm and leg, April 8th. The Army Council express their sympathy - Secretary, War Office."

(Copy of Letter)

"55th Squadron, R.F.C., B.E.F., France, 9th April, 1917. - Dear Mr Hamar,- It is with the deepest feelings of sorrow that I write to you to express my sympathy in the death of your son. I have been his observer since we landed in France, during which time I have been in the closest touch with him, and I can say most sincerely the Army has not lost a braver soldier, or a man of a more staunch friend. He was buried on Monday, the 9th, at Amiens, where I attended his funeral. I have personally seen to his kit, and it will be forwarded to Messrs Cox & Son, 16, Charing Cross. Again assuring you of my sympathy. - Believe me, yours sincerely, J. L. Trulock (lieut.)."

(Copy of Letter)

"New Zealand Stationary Hospital, B.E.F.. France, 10/4/17.- Dear Mr Hamar,- I expect that long before this note reaches you, you will have received the sad news of the death of your son, Lieut. A. J. Hamar, R.F.C.. 55th Squadron, 9th Wing. On Sunday afternoon, 8/4/17, your son and his mate, Lieut. Myburgh, were both admitted to this hospital. It seems that three of our machines had gone out on Sunday to do some bombing. They were successful and were returning when they were attacked by a German formation of picked men and machines who act as patrols along their front lines. In the encounter, both your son and his companion were wounded, but managed to bring their machine to earth somewhere near here. They were not able, however, to make a good landing, and the two brave men sustained further injuries from their fall. Your son was not conscious all the time he was here. Nature was kind enough to deaden consciousness, so I had not an opportunity to talk to him. He died at 9.30 p.m. the same day. I buried him yesterday in the new Military Cemetery, Amiens. (The location of the grave is - Officers' Section, 2nd row left, grave 8.) Major Baldwin and three other officers of the squadron were present. The Graves' Registration Unit will erect a simple cross of identification, and Major Baldwin said he would see that one was erected from the squadron. Your grief must be great, but may you be richly comforted. Your son was brave, and he gave a man's life in a man's service. - I am, yours sincerely, R. S. Watson (Presbyterian chaplain)."

(Copy of Letter)

April 10th, 1917.- Dear Mr Hamar,- I do not know how to express my sympathy with you in this great loss. Your son put up a magnificent show. He was very badly wounded, indeed, and must have remained conscious to pilot his machine by pure will power. He brought his machine, one of three, through a hostile formation of 30 machines. He was the only one to get back, and he brought it nearly 25 miles back over our lines in his attempt to get back to his own aerodrome. He apparently lost consciousness just before he reached the ground and received the additional wounds in the smash landing. He landed at about 3.30 to 4 o'clock, and never recovered consciousness up to the time he died, at about 10.30 that night. Unfortunately, his passenger has since died from the wounds he received, although your son managed to get him back to ground without any further mishap to him. I am endeavouring to obtain fuller details from the doctors who spoke to your son's observer, as it was one of the finest acts of endurance that I have heard of during the whole war. He had important information which his observer managed to give, and, if it had not been for your son, we should never have obtained it, as neither of the other machines managed to get back. I will forward you the fuller details as soon as I can obtain the same. He was buried the day after his death, i.e., the 9th inst., at 4 p.m. The service was held by the Presbyterian minister from the 1st New Zealand Hospital. The minister will write and inform you when he was buried and where the grave is, as I am not allowed to say. I can only close by saying that he has set a wonderful example to us all, and we hope that sufficient evidence will be obtained to place his act on record among the other outstanding acts of bravery in this war, none of which, to our minds, surpass it. I have lost a really good and useful officer, and we all, officers and men, have lost a friend, and offer you and your wife our deepest sympathy.-Yours, sincerely, (Major) Jack E. A. Baldwin."

Last Tuesday would have been Lieutenant Hamar's 27th birthday. A service to his. memory was held at Knighton Wesley Church on the previous Sunday. Rev. A. D. Baskervilie officiating.

Mr and Mrs William Hamar (Hill Crest, Knighton) wish to thank all the kind friends for their letters of sympathy in their recent great sorrow.