 When the First World War broke out , the Hammonds returned to England with the rest of the 46th Company of the Royal Garrison Artillery . William was subsequently posted to France where , promoted to major , he was killed near Amiens in 1918 . Marion settled in Southsea and sent Walter to The Portsmouth Grammar School , before moving him in 1918 to board at Cirencester Grammar School , believing that he would benefit from living away from home and hoping to encourage a career in farming . He did not enjoy an easy relationship with his mother , often staying with friends during holidays in preference to returning home . 
