The Hammond’s students and staff have laid a wreath this morning commemorating Remembrance Day, reflecting on the service and sacrifice of all those that have been lost in conflict. This year, a number of students and staff are also taking part in Remembrance Day events in France and Belgium on our humanities trip, culminating in attendance at the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate at 8pm this evening.

We’d like to take this opportunity to share the story of The Hammond site’s unique heart - Hoole Bank House. The building and subsequently our school’s history is poignantly linked to World War I & II through the families who’ve lived here and the organisations it has held.

In September 1899, Hoole Bank Estate was purchased and turned into a family home by George Whitley Hayes and his wife Eva. In August 1914 George Hayes donated the house to the Red Cross and it was put to use as a Convalescent Hospital. From October 1914 until May 1919, over 1200 soldiers were treated here.

George and Eva’s sons, Harry Urmson and Eric Gerald (Joey), both fought in World War I. Harry became a Second Lieutenant with the 1st Battalion of The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) in 1915. He was tragically killed at the Battle of Loos on the 13th of October 1915, aged 19 years - one of 59,247 British soldiers killed in the battle.

Joey is believed to have enlisted in 1916 and graduated from the Ruffy-Baumann Flying School in late 1916. He became a Lieutenant in The Royal Flying Corps. Eric was declared missing in action in June 1918 but was subsequently found wounded in France. After being treated for severe burns to his face, hands and legs, he was transferred back to England at the end of August 1918.

In June 1917, Mr and Mrs Hayes endowed a twelve-bed ward in the Albert Wood Wing of the Chester Royal Infirmary in Harry’s memory. A memorial tablet in white marble was also placed in Chester Cathedral, and an identical tablet is still displayed in Hoole Bank House today.

The first link of what the site would house was forged on 13th June 1917. A fundraising concert took place at Chester Town Hall in aid of the Hoole Bank Red Cross Hospital. The concert featured the popular local ‘Whizz-Bang Pierrot Troupe’ (named after the sound made by an approaching German artillery shell) with new dances choreographed by Mrs Broom and her colleague Miss Irene Hammond.

Following World War I, the Hayes family next returned to Hoole Bank, and in 1921 the house and land were bequeathed to the National Institute of the Blind. During World War II, the estate was used as a barracks for US Army Engineers and in 1945, the Auxiliary Territorial Service was stationed at Hoole Bank. In 1969, Hoole Bank was bought by Betty Hassall and began its journey as The Hammond School. Today, we reflect upon the last family of Hoole Bank and the sacrifice of the Hayes sons.

We remember the Armed Forces, and their families, from Britain and the Commonwealth, whose lives were lost or irrevocably altered by conflict.

“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

We will remember them.”

Research on The Hammond, Hoole Bank House and its history was completed by Caroline Hamilton to mark the school’s centenary celebrations in 2017.