Lightfoot Lamonby HAMPSON

Lightfoot Lamonby HAMPSON

Per his military service record (regimental no. 4790), Lightfoot Lamonby Hampson was born at Wigton, Cumberland, England. He gave his age as 37 years, his marital status as married, and his occupation as painter.  He had worked at the ironworks in Lithgow prior to enlisting. His description on his medical was height 5 feet 5 inches tall, with a medium dark, grey eyes, and brown hair. His religious denomination was Baptist. He claimed that he had 3 years experience in the Militia. He completed his medical on the 6^th November at Lawson (on the day the Coo-ees arrived at Lawson), but was not attested until the 13^th November 1915 at Liverpool (after the end of the march). His date of joining on the nominal roll was the 9^th November 1915 (the day the Coo-ees arrived at Penrith).

After the end of the Coo-ee March he went to Liverpool Camp with his son Charles Alfred Hampson (who had joined the Coo-ees at Lithgow) as reinforcement for the 13^th Battalion.

On his embarkation roll Lightfoot Hampson’s address at time of enrolment was Redgalein, Hussans [sic]Walls Road, Lithgow, N.S.W. (the same as his son Charles’s address), and his next of kin is listed as sister-in-law, guardian of his children, Mrs. L. Hampson, Wanderee, Ferry Street, Drummoyne, N.S.W. (Lightfoot Hampson had four children – the eldest Charles Alfred Hampson who he had decided to enlist with on the Coo-ee March, and three younger sons, and one daughter).

On 8^th March 1916 Private Hampson departed Sydney on the HMAT A15 Star of England, accompanied by his son Charles, and many of the other Coo-ees. He arrived in Egypt on 11^th April 1916.

On 16^th April 1916 Gunner Hampson was transferred to the 4^th Division Artillery at Tel-el-Kebir (along with his son Charles).

On 21^st April 1916 he was taken on the strength of the 10^th Field Artillery Brigade and posted to the 10^th Brigade Ammunition Column at Serapeum (along with his son Charles). On the 27^th May they were both taken on strength of the 4^th Division Ammunition Column.

On 6th June 1916 Gunner Hampson left Alexandria aboard the HMT Oriana (along with his son Charles) bound for France, arriving at Marseilles on 13^th June 1916.

On 29^th June 1916 Gunner Hampson’s designation was changed to Driver. (His son Charles was also mustered as Driver on the same day).

On 23^rd August 1916 the 4^th Division Ammunition Column was at Acquin, France when Driver Hampson was evacuated with Influenza. On 30^th August 1916 he was admitted to the 4^th Stationary Hospital at St Omer, France. He was returned to his unit on the 10^th September 1916.

On 18^th September 1916 he attended the Trench Mortar School at Berthen (along with his son Charles). On 30^th September 1916 they both rejoined the 4^th Division Ammunition Column when it was at Vlamertinghe near Ypres, Belgium.

On 5^th November 1916 Driver Hampson reverted back to Gunner at his own request. (His son Charles also reverted to Gunner at his own request on the same day).

On 22^nd December 1916 he and his son Charles were both transferred to the 10^th Field Artillery Brigade which was in the Somme Sector near Flers, France, and were posted to the 110^th Howitzer Battery.

According to the 10^th Australian Field Artillery Brigade unit war diary, on 28^th April 1917 the 110^th Howitzer Battery was carrying out a gas shell bombardment on the village of Riencourt-les-Cagnicourt during the 1^st Battle of Bullecourt. His son Gunner Charles Hampson was killed in action on this day. The loss of the son who he had enlisted with, embarked overseas with, trained in Egypt with, and fought alongside in France with, must have been devastating for Lightfoot Hampson.

On 6^th May 1917 the 10^th Field Artillery Brigade was in action during the Battle of Bullecourt when Gunner Hampson was wounded in action by German counter battery fire. He received wounds to his back and face. Gunner Hampson was evacuated to the 23^rd Field Ambulance. On 7^th May 1917 he was moved to the 45^th Casualty Clearing Station. On 8^th May he was placed aboard the 4^th Ambulance Train and conveyed to the 6^th General Hospital at Rouen, France. On 13^th May 1917 he was transferred to a Convalescent Depot. On 12^th June 1917 Gunner Hampson was discharged and sent to the Base Depot at Le Harve, France.

On 29^th June 1917 Gunner Hampson rejoined the 10^th Field Artillery Brigade.

On 8^th December 1917 Gunner Hampson was detached to attend a course at the 2^nd Army School. He rejoined the Brigade on 7^th January 1918 when it was in the vicinity of Hollebeke, Belgium.

On 1^st September 1918 Gunner Hampson was granted leave in England. He returned to the 10^th Field Artillery Brigade on 20^th September 1918 when it was in action in the vicinity of Villeret, France.

On 4^th March 1919 Gunner Hampson left his unit bound for the Base Depot at Le Havre to commence his return to Australia. On 13^th March 1919 he departed Le Havre bound for England. He arrived at Weymouth, England, on 14^th March 1919, marching into the Number 4 Command Depot.

On 1^st May 1919 Gunner Hampson departed England aboard the China to return to Australia. He arrived in Australia on 11^th June 1919, and was discharged on 26^th July 1919.