| Hamilton | Keith Randolph | | Captain | HAMILTON, KEITH RANDOLPH, Captain, was born 28 February 1871, fourth son of Lieutenant General Henry Meade Hamilton, CB, and was gazetted to the Oxfordshire Light Infantry 18 May 1892; became Lieutenant 16 October 1893; served in the operations on the North-West Frontier of India, 1897-98, with the Mohmand Field and Tirah Expeditionary Forces (Medal and two clasps). He was promoted Captain, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, 4 November 1899. Captain Hamilton served in the South African War, 1899 to 1902, on the Staff. He served as Adjutant, 7th Mounted Infantry Regiment, 12 February to 1 April 1900; and as Staff Officer to Mounted Infantry Corps 7 April 1900 to 2 December 1900; operations in the Orange Free State, February to May 1900, including operations at Paardeberg (17 to 26 February); actions at Poplar Grove, Houtnek (Thoba Mountain), Vet River (5 and 6 May) and Zand River; operations in the Transvaal in May and June 1900, including actions near Johannesburg, Pretoria and Diamond Hill (11 and 12 June); operations in the Orange River Colony (May to 29 November 1900), including actions at Wittebergen (1 to 29 July) (severely wounded), Bothaville and Caledon River (27 to 29 November); operations in the Transvaal 30 November 1900 to 31 May 1902. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 16 April 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]: "Keith Randolph Hamilton, Captain, Oxfordshire Light Infantry. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". The Insignia, Warrant and Statutes were sent to the GOC, Transvaal, and presented by the GOC the Forces in South Africa, at Pretoria, 25 March 1903. He was employed with the South African Constabulary 11 December 1900 to 18 March, 1904; Adjutant, Volunteers, 9 July 1907 to 31 March 1908; Adjutant, Territorial Force, 1 April 1908; employed with the West African Frontier Force 27 June 1900 to 6 September 1905. He was promoted to Major 19 November 1910, and retired 3 December 1913. He married, in 1895, Ella Marcella, daughter of Major John Finlay (late 78th Highlanders), of Castle Toward, Argyllshire, and they had one son. Major Hamilton died 7 December 1918.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Oxfordshire Light Infantry |
