Sjt
George McDonald Hamilton
Information about birth
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Date of birth: 18/08/1885 |
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Place of birth: Carluke, Lanarkshire, Scotland, United Kingdom |
General information
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Profession: Baker |
Army information
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Country: New Zealand |
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Force: New Zealand Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Serjeant |
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Service number: 8/3615 |
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Units: — Otago Regiment, 2nd Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 16/02/1918 |
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Place of death: Reutel, Beselare, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 32 |
Cemetery
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Polygon Wood Cemetery Plot: Unknown Row: C Grave: 6 |
Distinctions and medals 2
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British War Medal Medal |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 2
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
Serjeant George McDonald Hamilton served in the Otago Regiment, 2nd Battalion, part of the New Zealand Division.
At the end of January 1918 the Otago Regiment stayed in several camps, including Otago Camp and Walker Camp. This moment of relative comfort ended when on the 8th of February the Regiment was ordered to return to the line in Polygoneveld. The 2nd Battalion proceeded via Westhoek and the Butte to the front line of the Reutel sector. They held that position until they were relieved on the 16th of February and returned to dug-outs in Albania Woods.
The Otago Regiment history does not contain detailed information about what happened on this particular day, so it is difficult to say how Serjeant Hamilton came to his end. The fact remains, however, that he was killed in action on the 16th of February 1918. He was directly buried in Buttes New British Cemetery.
At the end of January 1918 the Otago Regiment stayed in several camps, including Otago Camp and Walker Camp. This moment of relative comfort ended when on the 8th of February the Regiment was ordered to return to the line in Polygoneveld. The 2nd Battalion proceeded via Westhoek and the Butte to the front line of the Reutel sector. They held that position until they were relieved on the 16th of February and returned to dug-outs in Albania Woods.
The Otago Regiment history does not contain detailed information about what happened on this particular day, so it is difficult to say how Serjeant Hamilton came to his end. The fact remains, however, that he was killed in action on the 16th of February 1918. He was directly buried in Buttes New British Cemetery.
Sources 4
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"Official history of the Otago Regiment, NZEF in the Great War 1914-1918", Byrne A.E., page 240 - 243 Sources used |
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Archwayrecord https://www.archway.archives.govt.nz/FullItem.do;jsessionid=A39B4D039B4EA2283DBAA215002DBE08 Sources used |
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Auckland Cenotaph http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C6197?w=World%20War%20I%2C%201914-1918&n=Hamilton%208%2F3615&ordinal=0&from=%2Fwar-memorial%2Fonline-cenotaph%2Fsearch Sources used |
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National Archives of Australia https://discoveringanzacs.naa.gov.au/Search/General?query=Hamilton+8%2F3615 Sources used |