HAMILTON-CAMPBELL, WILLIAM KENTIGERN,
Lieutenant Colonel, was born at Cairnhill, Hurlfrod, Ayrshire, 30 September
1865, eldest son of Charles Vereker Hamilton-Campbell and Mary, only
daughter of Samuel Randall, of Orford, Suffolk. He was educated at Sedbergh
School, Yorkshire, and joined the Ayrshire Yeomanry in August 1888, and
became Captain 5 June 1891. He served in the South African War,
1899-1902, in command, Imperial Yeomanry Battalion (from 15 September 1900
to 31 May 1902); took part in the operations in the Transvaal in May and
June 1900; in Orange River Colony, May to 29 November 1900, including
actions at Wittebergen, Witpoort and
Caledon River; again in Orange River Colony, 30 November 1900 to
February 1901, and March to September 1901; also during the operations in
Cape Colony, February to March 1901, September 1901, April to 31 May 1902.
He was twice mentioned in Despatches: first by General Sir Charles Knox, for
good work done while commanding the 6th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry during
operations in pursuit of De Wet in Cape Colony, which ended in his force
being broken up outside Hopetown, Cape Colony, on 25 February 1901; again by
Brigadier General T D Pilcher, for operations carried out on the Orange
River, just below Hopetown, when a party of 75 Yeomen defeated 300 Boers,
commanded by Commandant Haasbroek, capturing 45 of them, 25 to 28 February
1901. He received the Queen's Medal with three clasps, and the King's Medal
with two clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service
Order for valuable services rendered during the period January 1900 to June
1902 [London Gazette, 31 October 1902]: "William Kentigern
Hamilton-Campbell, Lieutenant Colonel, 6th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry. In
recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". He became
Lieutenant Colonel, Ayrshire Yeomanry, and Honorary Lieutenant in the Army:
received the Territorial Decoration and King George's Coronation Medal. He
was mentioned in Despatches for valuable services rendered during the
European War 24 February 1917. He died on 22 November 1917. Lieutenant
Colonel W K Hamilton-Campbell was a JP and DL for Ayrshire, and CC for
Mauchline. He had married, 15 October 1908, at Monkton Church, Ayrshire,
Edith Agnes, daughter of Robert Angus, of Ladykirk, Monkton, Ayrshire, and
left three children: Jean Mary; Mungo Charles, born 19 March, 1912, and
Margaret.
