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.
