John Patrick Hamilton VC (1896 - 1961)

Born 24 Jan 1896 in Orange, New South Wales (Australia)

Died 27 Feb 1961 at age 65 in Concord, New South Wales, Australia

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Biography

Lt. John Hamilton was awarded a Victoria Cross

John Hamilton VC is an Anzac who served in World War One.

John Hamilton VC was awarded the Victoria Cross.

John Hamilton VC is an Anzac who served in World War Two.

Born in Orange, New South Wales, in January 1896, John Hamilton was working as a butcher near Lithgow when he enlisted in the AIF in September 1914. He was posted to the 3rd Battalion and after training in Egypt, took part in the landing on Gallipoli on 25 April 1915. ^[1]

On 9 August, during the battle of Lone Pine, the Turks launched a violent assault with intense rifle and machine-gun fire. Hamilton, together with several other men, was ordered out of the trenches onto the parapet, in order to halt the enemy advance. For six hours he lay in the open, protected only by a few sandbags, telling those in the trenches where to throw their bombs, while keeping up constant sniper fire.

For his coolness and daring example Hamilton received the Victoria Cross, the only one awarded to his unit during the war. Hamilton later served in France, and he was eventually commissioned as a second lieutenant after the Armistice. During the Second World War he again served in the army, attaining the rank of captain. Hamilton died in Sydney in February 1961. ^[2]

Citation (abridged): During a heavy bomb attack by the enemy on the newly-captured position at Lone Pine, Private Hamilton, with utter disregard of personal safety, exposed himself under heavy fire on the parados in order to secure a better firing 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.

LONE PINE HERO.

Lieut. John Hamilton, V.C., son of Mr. W. Hamilton, of Mortdale, formerly of Penshurst, returned to Sydney by the Boorara, on Thursday. This hero received his honor for conspicuous bravery , at Lone Pine, on August 9, 1915. The promotion of the rank of lieutenant took place in France. On arrival he was warmly, congratulated by Major General Lee, State Commandant, and was driven to the Anzac Buffet by Mr. C. W. Oakes, who represented the State Government. His father and mother are Hawkesbury natives.^[3]

SECOND WORLD WAR.

During the Second World War John Hamilton returned to active service as a lieutenant on 3 June 1940 and served with the 16th Garrison Battalion until September 1942. He served overseas with the 3rd Pioneer Battalion in New Guinea. In 1944 he joined the Army Labour Service, and was promoted to Captain on 21 October. With his unit he supported the Australian forces who landed on Bougainville in July 1945. His second period of war service was terminated on 19 August 1946.

Birth and death dates taken from an article written by the Orange Family History group and published in 2001 (copy attached). (1)

John Patrick Hamilton died of cerebro-vascular disease in the Repatriation General Hospital, Concord, New South Wales on 27 February 1961, leaving his widow Myrtle and a married son Alwyn. After a private funeral he was buried in Woronora cemetery in Sydney. ^[4]

Sources

1. ↑ AWM
2. ↑ Military Record
3. ↑ St George Call (Kogarah, NSW : 1904 - 1923) Sat 30 Aug 1919
4. ↑ The Orange Wiki

• Birth record: NSWBDM 6091/1896
• Death record: NSWBDM 2105/1961
• 1). Orange Family History Group Journal No. 53, November 2001, pp. 4-5. Also published on the web site Centenary of WW1 in Orange