Regimental number | 943 |
Place of birth | Penshurst, New South Wales |
Religion | Roman Catholic |
Occupation | Butcher |
Address | Carruthers Street, Penshurst, Sydney, New South Wales |
Marital status | Single |
Age at embarkation | 20 |
Height | 5' 6.75" |
Weight | 145 lbs |
Next of kin | William Hamilton, Carruthers Street, Penshurst , Sydney, New South Wales |
Previous military service | Served in the Militia (Compulsory Military Training scheme). |
Enlistment date | |
Place of enlistment | Sydney, New South Wales |
Rank on enlistment | Private |
Unit name | 3rd Battalion E Company |
AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/20/1 |
Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A14 Euripides on |
No details of embarkation for HQ and A-H Companies entered on Embarkation Roll. | |
Rank from Nominal Roll | Lieutenant |
Unit from Nominal Roll | 3rd Battalion |
Promotions |
2nd Lieutenant Promotion date: Lieutenant Promotion date: |
Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Victoria Cross Recommendation date: |
Fate | Returned to Australia |
Medals |
Victoria Cross 'For most conspicuous bravery on 9th August, 915, in the Gallipoli Peninsula. During a heavy bomb attack by the enemy on the newly captured position at Lone Pine, Private Hamilton, with utter disregard to personal safety, exposed himself under heavy fire on the parados, in order to secure a better fire position against the enemy's bomb throwers. His coolness and daring example had an immediate effect. The defence was encouraged, and the enemy driven off with heavy loss.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 28 Date: |
Discharge date | |
Other details |
War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front Embarked Alexandria to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, Gallipoli, 5 April 1915. Admitted to Hospital Ship, Gallipoli, 26 May 1915 (influenza), and transferred to No 1 Stationary Hospital, Mudros; discharged, 1 June 1915; rejoined unit at Gallipoli, 2 June 1915. Awarded Victoria Cross. Admitted to 1st Australian Field Ambulance, and transferred to No 2 Stationary Hospital, Mudros, 16 September 1915 (diarrhoea); to England, 2 October 1915 (dysentery), and admitted to 2nd Southern General Hospital, Bristol, 27 October 1915; admitted to Australian Depot, Plymouth, 30 December 1915. Found guilty, 27 January 1916, of (1) absent from camp, 1-20 January 1916; (2) using insubordinate language to his superior Officer: awarded 168 hours' detention, and forfeited 22 days' pay. Treated at Verne Military Hospital, Portland, for venereal disease, 25-28 January 1916: total period of treatment: 4 days. Admitted to 1st Australian Dermatological Hospital, Bulford, 26 February-11 March 1916; total period of treatment for venereal disease: 15 days. Readmitted to Verne Military Hospital, 29 January 1916; discharged, 2 February 1916: total period of treatment for venereal disease: 5 days. Found guilty, 22 March 1916, of being absent without leave, 18-21 March 1916: awarded forfeiture of 4 days' pay; forfeited total of 8 days' pay. Promoted Corporal, Tel el Kebir, 3 May 1916. Proceeded overseas to France from England, 19 November 1916; rejoined 3rd Bn, 4 December 1916. Promoted Sergeant, 13 May 1917. Attached to 1st Australian Division NCOs' School, 22 May 1917; rejoined Bn, 8 June 1917. On leave to Paris, 29 September 1917; rejoined unit from leave, 6 October 1917. Detached to 1st Anzac Corps School, 6 October 1917; rejoined Bn, 11 October 1917. On leave to United Kingdom, 15 November 1917; rejoined Bn from leave, 7 December 1917. Attached to 2nd Army Central School, 2 May 1918; admitted to New Zealand Stationary Hospital, 7 May 1918 (influenza); discharged to duty, 12 May 1918; rejoined Bn in the field, 16 May 1918. Joined No 5 Officer Cadet Bn, Cambridge, England, 5 July 1918; appointed 2nd Lieutenant on probation, 2 January 1919. Promoted Lieutenant, 2 April 1919. Proceeded overseas to France, 16 April 1919; taken on strength, 3rd Bn, 22 April 1919. Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Boorara', 6 July 1919; disembarked Melbourne, 26 August 1919, for onward travel by rail to Sydney; discharged, Sydney, 12 September 1919. Medals: Victoria Cross, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |