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Kenneth Tom (Ken) Hamilton

Ken Hamilton was born in North Adelaide on the 8th of September 1891 to Dr Thomas Kinley Hamilton and his 2nd wife Ellen (nee Patton).

Family History - Arrival in the Colony of South Australia, Family Ties and Parents Backgrounds

Ken's father Dr T K Hamilton's Biography and generational Family Trees are provided as Appendices (see document)

The first of Ken Hamilton's ancestors to arrive in South Australia was his father's younger brother James Alexander Greer Hamilton (b 1854) who after graduating as a doctor from Trinity College, University of Dublin in 1876. He came to South Australia and took up an appointment at Wallaroo Hospital before moving to Kapunda in 1878. Ken's father Thomas Kinley Hamilton (b 1853) was born in County Tyrone, Ireland and had also graduated in medicine at Trinity College in 1876. He practiced in Ireland for several years before choosing to follow his brother and migrate to Australia in 1880. Arriving in Adelaide on April 9th aboard the Macedon were Dr Thomas Kinley Hamilton and his wife Richenda Johnston Hamilton and their daughter, six-month-old Georgina.

He had previously married Richenda in Drumcree, County Armagh, Ireland in 1878 and their first child (Georgina) was born in Ireland in September 1879. They first settle in Laura in the Mid-North of South Australia where Thomas became the communities trusted doctor and acted as Justice of the Peace. The family home was named "Tandragee" after the town where they were living in Armagh, Ireland.

Tragically for the family Richenda died in March 1881 only a month after the birth of the family's second child (Robert). Heartbreak was to follow when the infant son died at only 3 months of age.

Dr William Johnston Patton also from County Armagh arrived in South Australia in June 1883 and was appointed to the township of Koolunga in the Mid-North of the State. During the year he acted as locum for Dr Hamilton. In April, the following year Dr Patton move to Laura as honorary health officer for the region. It is likely that the two Drs from County Armagh were already well known to each other in Ireland. Also arriving August 1883 was Thomas's younger brother Charles Wolfe Hamilton also a doctor who was appointed to practice in the nearby township of Gladstone. The following year on the 8th May 1884 two of Dr Patton's sisters arrived onboard the Iberia from London. They were Widow Mrs Ellen Hewgill (nee Patton) with her two children Rupert (9yr) and Hilda (8yr) and his other sister Miss Sarah Henrietta Patton. Ellen's husband Frank Hewgill had died in Ireland in 1876.

Three years after the death of his first wife, and only a month after her arrival, Thomas married Ellen Patton-Hewgill on the 30th April 1884. They were already known to each other in Ireland and having both lost their partners they had the makings of a ready-made family. The family connections did not end there when Thomas's younger brother Charles Wolfe Hamilton married her Ellen's younger sister Sarah Henrietta Patton in July the same year.

Thomas and Ellen would have a further six children but again tragedy struck the Hamilton family in 1885. Their first newborn son Edward would only live 14 months and just prior to that, his brother Charles Wolfe Hamilton and wife Sarah Henrietta had a stillborn child. Although Ken's upbringing would be reasonably privileged it was in a family background that had their fair share of difficult times. Three of their children (Edward, Edith, and Jean) died as infants and Evelyn was only 14 years of age. This left Ken with a half-sister and brother on his mother's side (Sarah Henrietta and Rupert) and a half-sister Georgina on his father's side. Ken's brothers and sisters were:
Edward Gordon (1885 - 1886), Edith May (1888 - 1889), Evelyn Hester (1889 - 1905), Kenneth Tom (1891 - 1978), Bryant Charles (1893 - 1963) and Jean Lofti (1895 - 1897).

Shortly after the death of son Edward, Ken's father left Laura in 1986 and travelled to London and Berlin for specialty training in ophthalmology and diseases of the ear, nose, and throat. Initially returning to Laura in 1888 he then moved the family to Adelaide in 1889 and set up his practice in the city in Roby House in Wakefield Street near Victoria Square.

In 1890 Thomas took up an honorary position at the Adelaide Hospital which he held until 1896 when he resigned with other honorary staff in the "Adelaide Hospital Row" which disrupted medical training in Adelaide until 1902. In the 1990's he also sat on the Medical Board and was President of the SA Branch of the British Medical Association. Thomas also involved himself heavily in activities of the Anglican Church and many other community organisations.

On their move to Adelaide the family had taken up residence at 286 Ward St, North Adelaide. Built in 1880 the house is still largely in its original form today.

By the late 1990's the family moved to the Adelaide Hills township of Belair into a magnificent mansion named "Willa Willa". Designed by renowned architect Charles Thomas Good (1863 - 1926) of the firm Williams and Good and sitting on 56 acres and with 23 rooms it was described as having great architectural merit. Although his medical practice was rewarding financially, Thomas had made a lot of money on land speculation but later lost significant amounts on Yorke Peninsular land deals.

After Thomas's death in 1917 it was sold and was later known as Birrilee. It was for a time in the early 1940s used by Scotch College as during the 2nd World War the Torrens Park school was seconded as a USA Repatriation Hospital and then later as a RAAF Embarkation Depot. After the War, the students returned to Torrens Park and Birrilee became a TB Sanatorium, then a DVA Repatriation Hospital again followed by a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre (St Anthonys). It is now back in private ownership and been restored to its former glory.

Amongst Ken's father's many activities aside from practising medicine, he was involved in the Anglican Church (member of The Synod), horticulture and breeding of pedigree cats and dogs. He won many prizes at local shows for his prize blooms and pedigree Yorkshire and Scottish Terriers and Persian cats. His health often suffered because of his endless involvement in his medical practice, community, and church affairs. Several times he was force to take a break from his work.

In 1902 Ken's half-sister Georgina married the Reverend Lionel Payne Crawfurd. The wedding photo below shows his mother Ellen, sister Evelyn and Father Thomas on the far-right hand side.

Education

Queen's School North Adelaide

Ken first attended Queen's School in Barton Terrace North Adelaide. Amongst his many quite famous school mates were Ross and Keith Smith who in 1919 made the first flight from England to Australia in a Vickers Vimy bomber. Ken would later serve with Ross in the Australian Light Horse in WW1. Many of his other Schoolmates enlisted also with some paying the ultimate sacrifice. His younger brother Bryant also attended Queens School.

In 1905 the brothers accompanied their father and mother on a voyage to England for family reasons and Dr Hamilton would also pursue some professional activities.

Ken was back in Adelaide by late September 1905 and competed in the Queen's School Sports coming second in the 220 yards obstacle race.
Hamilton Family recollections indicated that after Queen's School Ken was largely privately tutored, but school records show that he attended St Peter's College from 2nd Term 1908 to 2nd Term 1909 and his brother Bryant attended from 2nd Term 1908 to 1911. Little information is available about their academic records however newspapers show that Bryant passed Latin in the Junior Public Examinations of 1911.

At the end of the 1st Term in 1909 and at 18 years of age Ken headed for England and Oxford College. On 15th April aboard the RMS Mongolia he departed the Port of Adelaide.

Oxford University

After completing his secondary education, Ken travelled to England to continue his studies at Hertford College, Oxford University. He was at Oxford from 1910 until 1912 but there is no reference available of his academic record. Census records show that in 1911 he was a visitor staying at the home of wealthy tea planter Archibald Alger and his family at Taverstock, Devon. Archibald had a tea plantation in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka).

While studying at Oxford, Ken continued his interest in rowing and with some other Australians was chosen in December 1911 to trial for final selection for the eight to row for Oxford to row against Cambridge in the annual event later that year. Unfortunately, it seems Ken missed out on the final selection.

Also, final selection for the Australian rowing team for the 5th Olympic Games in Stockholm, Sweden was to occur in June 1912. Apparently on all counts Ken was worthy of a place in the team, however the selection process meant that a South Australian had little chance.

Ken also spent two years with the Oxford University's Detachment of King Edwards Horse Troop.

Returning home, in 1913 Ken then enrolled at Roseworthy Agricultural College and in the following year Bryant joined him there as well.

His father and mother had moved back to the city from Belair in 1913 and took up residence in Marlborough Street, College Park. Their surplus furniture and farm equipment were auctioned off the following year.

World War I

Ken Hamilton enlisted on the 24th August 1914 only 20 days after the British Declaration of War on Germany. He joined the 3rd Light Horse Regiment which was raised in Adelaide on the 17th August 1914. Ken's serial number on his Attestation Paper was No. 300. He had two years prior service in King Edwards Horse a while previously in England (1910 - 1912).

An article is from the Australian War Memorial Collection and provides background information relevant to Ken's War Service.The 3rd Light Horse Regiment
https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/U51037 (see document).

Kenneth Tom Hamilton Record of Service in WW1

Ken's full Service Records have been digitised and are available at the National Archives of Australia and can be accessed from the link given earlier in the document. An interpretation of his War Service follows.

After enlisting on the 24th of August Ken would have been based at the Morphettville Camp and undergone basic training there. Exercises were conducted in the Belair National Park, Reynella, and other country areas. With the Rank of Private, on 22 October 1914 after two months of training, his Unit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A17 Port Lincoln and proceeded to Egypt where more training was to be undertaken.

Arriving in December they joined up with the 1st and 2nd Regiments to form the 1st Light Horse Brigade. On the 9th of May they joined the Mediterranean Expeditionary Forces Commanded by General Sir Ian Hamilton who had been appointed by Lord Kitchener and after assembling in Lemnos then headed to Gallipoli to connect with the Australian and New Zealand Forces. They arrived on the shores of Anzac Cove on the 12th May 1915, 17 days after the first landing. They were deployed without their horses and played a defensive and reserve role in the field.

Ken was at Gallipoli until the 25th July when after falling ill he was evacuated from the 1st Casualty Clearing Station on a "Fleet Sweeper" to the hospital ship "Sicilia" and onto Malta. He was diagnosed with appendicitis and admitted to St Andrew's Hospital on 28th July 1915. No operation was performed and after 23 days was discharged to the All Saints Convalescent Camp.

After spending over two months in hospital and convalescing he was transferred to England onboard the hospital ship "SS Regina dÍtalia" where he was admitted on 18th October to the 1st Southern General Hospital, Dudley Rd, Edgbaston, Birmingham with "Relapsing Appendicitis". Birmingham University was the site of the hospital where buildings were converted into hospital wards. After a total of four attacks an Appendectomy was finally performed on 20th October 1915 and was discharged after 5 weeks and orders given for light duty.

Eight months after being originally evacuated from Gallipoli, it took until late March 1916 before Ken was well enough to rejoin the 1st Light Horse Brigade back in Egypt. Disembarking in Alexandria on April 5th he was then given a temporary detachment to the School of Instruction at Tel el Kebir which was located on the southern side ("sweet side") of the Suez Canal.

On re-joining the 3rd Light Horse Regiment (part of the 1st Light Horse Brigade) on 22nd July 1916 the combined Anzac Mounted Division headed to the Sinai Peninsula where a joint Ottoman and German force were pressing across the Sinai and threatening the safety of the Suez Canal. In the Battle of Romani beginning on 20th July and after fierce fighting the four Brigades of the Anzac Mounted Division forced the enemy to retreat on the 12th August.

See the document for details of the Battle of Romani and the Moascar Isolation Camp.

After the Romani Offensive the 3rd Light Horse returned to their base at Hod el Ge'Eila. Ken was sick again on October 21st, 1916 but had recovered in a short time and rejoined his regiment from Headquarters at Kantara (El Qantara) with the news on the 24th November 2016 that he had been promoted to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. Following short deployment to Armussi, Ken was appointed to the Australian Light Horse Training Staff at Moascar near Ismailia on the West Bank of the Suez Canal. On the 24th February 1917 he received a promotion to Lieutenant. The following month he was seconded back to the 3rd Light Horse Squadron. In April 1917 he was undergoing Officer Training at Zeitoun near Cairo. Returning to the 1st Light Horse Regiment a week later Ken marched into the Moascar Isolation Camp on 5th May 1917.

In late May Ken was deployed with the AIF to Shellal, the site of two earlier offensives in March and April by the British and Allied Forces against the Ottoman troops defending the Line between Gaza and Beersheba. Although claimed to be successful by some, no ground had been gained at a cost of lives and Allied prisoners were taken. Later a 3rd movement at Shellal achieved success not as an actual offensive but as a trick to have the enemy thinking a 3rd attack was imminent there. It was a feign in preparation for a final assault on the German backed Ottoman Forces.

Ken was back with the 3rd Light Horse Regiment by September 1917 which then was sent to Tel el Marakeb 30 miles south east of Beersheba Palestine. Unfortunately, another illness, this time suffering tonsillitis, saw Ken evacuated on the 8th September and hospitalised at the 4th Auxiliary Hospital at Abbassia, Egypt. Ken after a period of convalescence in Alexandria at the No 10 Convalescent Hospital (which was a stately home which belonged to an interned German) returned to duty with the 1st Light Horse Regiment at Moascar on 29th September. Between the end of September until November there is a gap in his Service Record. However, it is fortunate that Ken's Grandson, Dr Richard Lawrence has a first-hand account of Ken's involvement during that time.

"......he would not speak to me of Gallipoli, though he was much more forthcoming about the subsequent Palestine campaign. He led a troop in the Palestine Campaign, including having the heel of his boot shot off in the charge at Tel el Saba, NE of Beersheba, on the early afternoon of 31 October 1917. He described watching the charge on Beersheba from Chaytor's HQ on the Tel. He subsequently met T E Lawrence ("Lawrence of Arabia" no relation) in Damascus." - Note: Both Ken and Thomas Edward Lawrence (History at Jesus College) were at Oxford University in 1910.

Following the success at the Battle of Beersheba in October Gaza fell on the 7th November 1917 and the capture of Jerusalem followed in December. Ken was transferred on 9th November 1917 from the 1st Light Horse Regiment back to the 3rd Light Horse Regiment at Moascar. On the November 17th en route to rejoin his Regiment he was evacuated to the 74th Casualty Clearing Station at Rafa (Rafah) located about 20 miles South West of Gaza. He was then back on duty on 1st December based at Belah (Deir El Belah) just South of Gaza in Palestine and could possibly have participated in the "Light Horse Manoeuvres" held in January 1918 in the desert near Esdud, a town North of the captured city of Gaza. (Ref. Australian War Memorial). Then for the next 7 weeks the 3rd Light Horse Regiment based at Deir El Belah were involved in active patrolling towards Sharia and Beersheba to where the enemy had been earlier until the retreat after the Battle of Beersheba.

In early March 1918 when his Regiment was passing through Richon le Zion, a Jewish settlement on the Mediterranean Coast North of Gaza, which had now been freed from the tyranny of the Turks, Ken was struck down with Herpes Zoster (Shingles). The Light Horse Field Ambulance evacuated him to the Anzac Receiving Station, and he was then admitted to the 43rd Stationary Hospital in Gaza and then transferred to the 44th Stationary Hospital at Kantara (El Qantara) in North East Egypt on the Suez Canal. From there Ken was moved up the Suez Canal to Port Said and admitted on 9th March into the 14th Australian General Hospital.

Ken's illness must have been quite severe, and he was discharged after nearly 4 weeks from hospital for recuperation at the Port Said Desert Mounted Corps Rest Camp.

After a couple of weeks rest Ken was reunited with the 3rd Light Horse Regiment at Moascar but then placed on the Regimental Seconded List (Sick List) until late June 1918. Resuming duty on 25th June he sent to the Richon School of Instruction. From the 17th August he rejoined the 3rd Light Horse Regiment on active duty. At this time, his Regiment was taking part in one of the final campaigns east of the Jordan River aimed at Amman and leading to the Turkey surrender on 30 October 1918. Unfortunately, Ken had not seen out the final weeks of the offensive having been evacuated again on the 5th October. He was admitted to the 31st General Hospital at Abbassia near Cairo. After 12 days he was discharged to the AIF Headquarters in Cairo and granted 14 days sick leave. From there it was back via Moascar and returning to the Port Said Rest Camp until 6th December 1918. Ken was back on the Regimental Seconded List with the 3rd Light Horse at Moascar until 4th January 1919. Prior to the return home Ken was again attached to the AIF Headquarters in Cairo from 15th February and taken off the Seconded List 2 days later. After over 2 months in Cairo with the AIF Headquarters Ken was reunited with the 3rd Light Horse Regiment on 26th April in preparation for his return to home soil. It was another 3 weeks before leaving Ghezireh, Cairo for the trip to Kantara from where he embarked 16th May 1919 on the HT "Orari" for the voyage home to Australia.

Ken disembarked at Port Adelaide on Thursday 26th June and in addition to the welcome by loved ones a special social was arranged for the returned soldiers the following evening at the Soldiers' Lounge in the YMCA's Victoria Hall in Gawler Place. Ken was formally discharged on 26th August 1919 exactly 5 years and 2 days of service.

Ken's Service Record includes an assessment in February 1919 by his Higher Commander.

Ken's brother Bryant also served in WWI with the North Irish Horse.

Sadly, for Ken, while on active service the family home at Belair had been sold in September 1917 and tragically his father had died a few months later.

Post-World War 1

On his return from WW1 Ken making the most of new found leisure time and was mentioned frequently in the Adelaide newspaper social pages attending dances including the Adelaide University Sports Association Ball in July 1919, its first after the end of WW1. He was possibly at the time staying with his mother who was now living at 32 Edwin Terrace Gilberton. In November 1920 he took delivery of the 1914/1915 Star for his service at Gallipoli.

Ken was retained as an Honorary Lieutenant in the AIF Reserve after the War but in December 1920 he was granted a Commission and the Substantive Rank of Lieutenant. This set the course for his continued link with the Australian Defence Forces for the rest of his life.

In early 1920 Ken headed for the Riverland and work on a Renmark Fruit Orchard. His experience at Roseworthy College and on the property at Belair made him well suited for this. Ken also became involved with the Renmark Rowing Club and as well as competing took on the role of Secretary.

His time at Renmark was short lived and in 1921 a friend offered him a position at an orange orchard in Amanzi, Vitenhage, near Port Elizabeth in South Africa. The Amanzi farm was important to the establishment of the South African citrus industry. Amanzi was also the sight of important archaeological discoveries in the 1960's.

In July 1921 while living and working at Amanzi, Ken took delivery of the British War Medal.

By February 1923 Ken was living in the Eastern Cape Provence citrus growing region on the Sundays River in the town of Addo, South Africa 20 miles North East of Amanzi. His Victory Medal was sent to him at this time.

While working in South Africa, Ken met Methea Langtree Toft, the daughter of Norwegian born Soren Toft (1869 - 1952) a shipping agent and Northern Ireland born Sarah Smythe. Soren's family had emigrated to Wales sometime before 1891. Methea (Thea) was born in South Africa in 1902 so Soren and Sarah had moved to South Africa earlier. Shipping records from a trip to the UK in 1920 indicate that 18-year-old Thea was a typist. The Toft family were living at Redhouse a small village North of Port Elizabeth on the Swartkops River.

Ken and Thea were married in South Africa on 8th September 1923. Their first child, Jean Anne Hamilton was born at Port Elizabeth on 21st September 1924. The young family remained in South Africa until 1927 when they decided to return to South Australia.

Back in Adelaide, the family were residing in Hawker's Road Medindie by the early 1930s. Ken and Thea were worshipers at St Andrews Church Walkerville and members of the Choir. They were active members of the Walkerville and wider Community often seen supporting events and various social causes.

Soon after arriving back in South Australia Ken found employment with a firm manufacturing porcelain insulators for power networks and he was soon appointed to the role of Works Manager.

In 1931 Theca's mother journeyed from South Africa and visited the family at Medindie.

In February 1933, Ken was acting as the Executor for the Estate of Jane Harriett Hamilton a Spinster, who was also living at Hawkers Rd Medindie and had died in December 1932. When Probate was granted her estate was valued at £47.

By 1933 the Ken Hamilton's family had grown to five with the birth of two more daughters. Margaret Berner Hamilton (Meg) was born in 1926 and Sheila had arrived in 1928.

In February 1933 Thea and her three children were on holidays at Victor Harbor staying at the home of Ken's uncle, Dr Charles Wolfe Hamilton who had a home in Sturt Street.

After the War Ken remained close to his 3rd Light Horse Regiment and on his return from South Africa had become heavily involved a later became secretary of the Regimental Organisation. He maintained this role for many years and organised many dinners, parades, and other events.

Adelaide University Union and Sports Association Secretary 1934 - 1957

At the beginning of 1934 Ken was appointed to the position of joint Secretary of The Adelaide University Union (AUU) and The Adelaide University Sports Association (AUSA). The AUU, a student union at the University of Adelaide, was funded by and reported to the main governing body Adelaide University Council. It provided a range of student facilities and services including academic advocacy, welfare, and counselling services to students free of charge. From 1932 it published the student’s own newsletter "On Dit". The AUSA, an affiliate of the AUU was responsible for providing and administering sporting grounds together with a committee structure that included representatives of the sporting clubs who were responsible for managing the individual sports. The pages offer a just a small example of Ken's contributions to the University and the students.

In addition to sport, Ken's roles and responsibilities with the Union were wide ranging and included the organisation of many of the social functions and other education and cultural events. These included clubs, faculty and graduates’ dances, dramatic arts festivals, and student debates.

In 1936 Ken was instrumental in the establishment of a sub-committee of Old Blues. The old tradition of recognising high achievement by club members in University Sport (and competed in Intervarsity matches) with Blues Awards had begun at Adelaide University in 1908. A Blues Club was established, and the first Annual Blues Dinner was held on Saturday 20th June 1936. Also, as well as the Blues Dinner he was involved in the organisation of the Annual University Ball.

Although there had been a footbridge leading from the original Exhibition Grounds across the Torrens River at the back of the University in its early years it was long gone, probably taken out by one of the many significant floods. Originally suggested at the time of the opening of the sports field in 1910 and more seriously in the 1920s, was the proposal for the construction of a new footbridge connecting the Campus with the Boatshed and playing fields. Donors Lily and Eva Waite, who were the daughters of Peter Waite; had provided funds and it seemed in 1936 it would go ahead. For reasons of compatibility with the surrounds the Adelaide City Council deferred approval. Official protests by the highly respected University Vice-Chancellor Sir William Mitchell and student petitions finally resulted in approval later in the year and construction in 1937. Ken had also provided positive arguments published in the Adelaide newspapers.

In 1937 Ken was at a luncheon of Oxford and Cambridge Alumni to welcome newly appointed Professor Goldby.

In 1937 the AUSA handed over new clubrooms at the Dean Rifle Range Port Adelaide to the Adelaide University Rifle Club. Ken was also a member of the Club and competed in their Saturday competitions. In November 1937, he demonstrated he was still a "crack shot" by finishing equal 4th in a practice event.

1939 started like most years for Ken after returning from annual leave. There were the usual events for the orientation of new students into university life organised by the Union. In most cases summer sports continued through the holidays but there was the seasonal responsibility of assisting the sporting clubs organise themselves for the colder months. Ken also wrote the occasional letters to the editor on a variety of topics and if the playing of sports at Adelaide University was misrepresented, he was quick to defend.

The Debating Society organised a debate on a topical subject that was an indication of division of opinion on the unfolding happenings in Europe and south to North Africa.

Ken had served in the "War to End All Wars" but the troubles in Europe and elsewhere were starting to cast shadows and about to impact on Adelaide University life. When War was declared in September 1939, the students who were too young to serve at the beginning, by 1945 like many of their predecessors in 1914 -1918, would put their studies or professional careers on hold to enlist.

The War Years 1939 - 1945

Although many of The Union and Sports Association activities were curtailed, it was still important to keep some of the social events and sports going to normalise the campus and raise spirits. Most sports continued in some form; however most formal premiership competitions were suspended.

The swimming Club still held their annual dance in November 1941 and as was the case in these types of events Ken and Thea were active participants on the dance floor.

Ken was a member of a South Australian Cricket Association sub-committee in 1942 that worked towards setting up a non premiership one day cricket competition. Teams were merged and programs arranged on an ad hoc basis. Services matches were also arranged for some of the crickets on leave or in local training camps.

The football club continued their annual dance in 1942 with the event taking on "an almost pre-war atmosphere" for that evening. Concerns about the safety of family members and friends who were serving in war zones no doubt returned the next day. Ken was also instrumental in setting up the Adelaide University "Comfort Fund" to which staff, students, graduates and friends of the University could contribute to provide aid to the men serving overseas.

In December 1944 Ken was one of several new Justices of the Peace to be appointed.

In December 1944 he participated (and probably helped organise) a group of old scholars of Queen's School, some of whom had been members of the 3rd Light Horse regiment, to parade in Creswell Gardens (Adelaide Oval Precinct) at the statue of Ross Smith on the 25th anniversary of his epic flight. Ross was a schoolmate of Ken.

Post-World War II

With peace declared and servicemen returning home after the Allied Victories in Europe and the Pacific, life was returning to normality on the University Campus. Sporting competitions were resuming, and it was proposed to hold the first cricket Intervarsity since 1939 in Adelaide in December 1945. Unfortunately, it did not go ahead at that time because of transport disruptions but was played in March 1946.

The Adelaide University sporting fields across the Torrens River were now very accessible to the Campus following the construction of the footbridge and sport at Adelaide University was thriving. In 1945 Ken was keen to secure an additional area north of the existing playing fields to provide for the growing number of teams. However, the Adelaide City Council was reluctant to approve a lease at that time. In 1927 the University had secured an area across Frome Rd (Park 10 -Warnpangga - Graduates Oval) and in time for the 1948/49 Cricket season the AUSA had made available a turf wicket.

An important achievement by the University Union in 1946 was the introduction of a Student Medical Service.

By 1949 the family was living at 72 Finniss St North Adelaide and Ken was one of the Executors for the estate of his late uncle Dr Charles Wolfe Hamilton.

In 1951 Ken, who was a skilled "handyman" (he had done much of the work in construction of their Finniss Street, North Adelaide home) constructed an innovative cricket scoreboard for University Oval.

In 1954, after previously being knocked back in 1945, Ken tried again to secure the land immediately north of the existing playing fields to provide an additional hockey ground. This time he was successful.

Also becoming available to the University shortly was the old Adelaide City Council Nursery. The Council had taken 18 years to transfer the nursery entirely to the new site on the eastern section of Park 10.

Also, in 1954 the Cricketers were provided with an all-weather compound synthetic rubber practice wicket adjacent to the tennis courts. The Cricket Club were the first District Club outside of Victoria to have such a facility.

For all his years as the combined AUU and AUSA Secretary until his retirement in 1957 at 65 years of age Ken had been a tireless advocate for student well being both socially and physically. Ken and Thea returned to South Africa for a holiday in 1958.

Adelaide University Union and Sports Association Successor

Horace Swales-Smith a former British WW2 Navy Officer (Royal Marines) was his successor and was very much guided by the advice, systems, and philosophies that Ken had established in his 24 years of dedicated service. They developed a great friendship and were both seen frequently together at University sporting events.
While playing cricket with Adelaide University from 1967 - 1972, the author got to know Ken as a keen but subdued supporter at home games. Often in the company of Horace and Club President Dr Len Pellew, there seemed to be more important topics of conversation rather than what was happening on the field.

More insight comes perhaps from his Grandson Dr Richard Lawrence:

"I remember a tall, weather beaten man, with a fondness for puns and tall stories, who could make anything with his hands - including most of the bluestone house in Finniss Street, North Adelaide in which we lived before becoming academic gypsies. It was next to the old Air Force memorial building (KTH was the Secretary of the Air Force Association too - I s'pose it was a Light Horse thing)".

Later Years and Death

Ken Hamilton's final years as Secretary of the Adelaide University Sports Association are not well documented as the newspapers available online only are until 1954. However, Ken still had his connections with the 3rd Light Horse regiment and was appointed secretary of the Air Force Association

In his later years Ken and Thea moved from Finniss Street North Adelaide to a unit in Bedford Street Kensington Park to be close to daughter Shelia. His health deteriorated in the last two years of his life and after being admitted to the Repatriation Hospital Daw Park in late June died in the evening of 6th July 1978 with Thea by his side. Nephew Dr Richard Hewgill Hamilton assisted Thea with the formalities. Ken was cremated at Centennial Park, Pasadena, Adelaide.

In her final years Thea was cared for by daughter Sheila in Sydney. Living until the age of 94, she died on 1st August 1996.

Thea was perhaps fortunate to have lived such a long and fulfilling life and the Ken Hamilton life story may have been quite different had Thea not survived a shark attack in her home town in South Africa in 1920 at the age of 18!

Profile added with the permission of the author Rob O'Shannassy.

For the complete profile including photographs, newspaper articles, documents, family legacy and sources prepared for the AUFC/AUCC WWI Memorial Project please see the document attached.