| Hamilton | John George Harry | | Captain | HAMILTON, JOHN GEORGE HARRY, Captain, was born 6 August 1869, son of George Hamilton, of Skene House, Aberdeenshire. He was educated at Cheltenham College, and Sandhurst, and entered the Army as Second Lieutenant, Royal Highlanders, 8 October 1890; he was promoted Lieutenant 3 November 1892, and became Captain 12 December 1899. He served in the South African War, 1899-1902, as Adjutant to the 2nd Battalion Royal Highlanders (from December 1899 to 18 February 1900); was in the advance on Kimberley, including action at Magersfontein; during operations in the Orange Free State, February to May 1900; in operations at Paardeberg 17 to 26 February (was slightly wounded); in actions at Poplar Grove, Driefontein and Vet River; operations in Orange River Colony, including actions at Rhenoster River, Wittebergen and Witpoort; during operations in Cape Colony, south of Orange River, 1899; operations in the Transvaal, March to May 1902; during operations in Orange River Colony, November 1903 to February 1902. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 8 February and 10 September 1901]; received the Queen's Medal with five clasps; the King's Medal with two clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 27 September 1901]: "John George Harry Hamilton, Captain, Royal Highlanders. In recognition of services in the recent operations in South Africa". He was invested by the King 18 December 1902. He was employed with the West African Forces 26 September 1903 to 8 April 1905; became Adjutant (Militia), Special Reserve, 16 April 1906. He was promoted Major 29 January 1909, and received the Durbar Medal in 1912. In the European War he served 1914 to 1915; was mentioned in Despatches and given the Brevet of Lieutenant Colonel 3 June 1916. He became Lieutenant Colonel 15 September 1916; commanded the 154th Infantry Brigade, British Armies in France, 17 September 1916 to September 1917; was Commandant, Base Depot, from 24 November 1918. He married, 15 October 1912, at St Margaret's, Westminster, London, Sybil, daughter of E Montefiore Micholls, and they had a son, John George Alistair, born 6 October 1913, and a daughter, Jean Mary.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) |
