Turn back the hands to the September triumphs of 1906-07 and ’08, and Charlie was there - first as a backman, then later as a follower in tandem with “Mallee” Johnson. Fast forward to the back-to-back years of 1914 and ’15, and he was there again, imposing himself as a seasoned ruckman when war came.
Charles William Hammond, a 176-game player from 1905-1909 and again through 1914-1915, was ironically enough born in Collingwood, on March 9, 1886. The son of Thomas Henry and Ann (nee Williams) Hammond, Charlie’s formative years took in the tough times of 1890s Melbourne.
By his late teens, the solidly-built, uncompromising big man had earned a handsome reputation for the local Northcote Brickfielders outfit and within a year or two was part of the fold on Royal Parade, chasing the leather with his older brother Jack.
That Charlie’s Hammond’s name is still held in such high regard almost three quarters of a century since his passing is testimony to the currency placed on Grand Final victories and those revered few who play their part . . . and of course the precious recollections of their loved ones.
Like Olive “(“Ollie”) Warren, Charlie’s daughter.
Now in her 90th year and living in the aged care facility, Strath-Haven, in Bendigo, Ollie was the youngest of six Hammond siblings behind Charles junior, Essie, Owen, Jean and Norman.
Though she was but 14 when her father died, Ollie is particularly glowing in her recollections.
“He was a wonderful husband to my mother and a fabulous father to all his children,” Ollie said this week.
“He used to sing children’s songs to us, old war songs like ‘It’s a Long Way to Tipperary’. I can remember when I was a little kid he used to take me for a ride on his shoulders. He still went to the Carlton games in his latter years - footy in winter, cricket in summer.”
Ollie has seen fit to donate a glorious sepia full-length image, circa 1906, of Charlie Hammond in the Carlton strip, for safekeeping in the club’s archive. Her family has also made available certificates and personal photographs which go some way to perpetuating Charlie’s memory after so many years.
The seasons of physical battery - the legacy of the tough and uncompromising manner in which this Leviathan of the game played - undoubtedly took their toll on Charlie.
“The family story goes that he hurt his leg in a ruck contest at the Collingwood football ground, and he never really recovered,” Ollie said. “He spent five years in Heidelberg Hospital, and he was only 50 when he died, but I remember that from the age of 40 onwards he used to get around with the support of a crutch and a walking stick.”
Not that the football club ever forgot, as the following entry in the club’s 1928 annual report attests;
CHARLES HAMMOND BENEFIT
An appeal was made during the season for the 30 was paid for the benefit of one of our old and champion players - Charlie Hammond - who is an inmate of the Austin Hospital. The response was most generous, £257/10/3 being collected. In addition, £30 was paid to Mr. Hammond in the previous year, making the total
£287/10/3.
We desire to thank our sister clubs, our members and the public for their kindest generosity in this worthy cause. The Victorian Football League, in addition to granting £20 to the fund previously, also generously donated £25 last season, and we extend to that body our sincerest thanks.
Mr. Hammond is grateful to all those who contributed to the fund, and, although still an inmate of the hospital, the latest reports are that he is hopeful of recovering sufficiently to be able to get about before the football season commences.
We would specially like to thank the press, particularly “Old Boy’’ of ‘The Argus’, for their kind assistance to the appeal.”
An employee with the Government Printing Officer in the city, Charlie lived with his family at 208 Alexandra Parade, near the Merri Creek.
Charlie died in that house, and was buried in Heidelberg Cemetery, within cooee of his first coach, the equally legendary Jack Worrall.
