HAMILTON, Leonard William
| Service Numbers: | 21772, 16587 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 27 July 1917 |
| Last Rank: | Lance Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 5 Personnel Depot RAAF |
| Born: | Jarradale, Western Australia, 2 July 1899 |
| Home Town: | Midland Junction, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Perth Boys School, Western Australia |
| Occupation: | Apprentice Fitter |
| Died: | Perth, Western Australia, Australia, 31 May 1987, aged 87 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Karrakatta Cemetery & Crematorium, Western Australia |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 27 Jul 1917: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Sapper, 21772, 9th Field Company Engineers | |
|---|---|---|
| 22 Mar 1918: | Involvement Sapper, 21772, Field Company Engineers, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '5' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Runic embarkation_ship_number: A54 public_note: '' | |
| 22 Mar 1918: | Embarked Sapper, 21772, Field Company Engineers, HMAT Runic, Sydney | |
| 19 Apr 1919: | Promoted AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 11th Field Company Engineers | |
| 23 Jul 1919: | Embarked AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 21772, 11th Field Company Engineers, per HT Main | |
| 13 Feb 1920: | Discharged AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 21772, 11th Field Company Engineers |
World War 2 Service
| 27 May 1940: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, 16587, 4 Recruit Depot (RAAF) | |
|---|---|---|
| 20 Oct 1945: | Discharged Royal Australian Air Force, 16587, 5 Personnel Depot RAAF, Flight Lieutenant - Squadron leader |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Chris Buckley
Len was the second of six children of John Andrew Craig Hamilton (b1871 in New Zealand) and Herbertina Mary Agnes Smerdon (b1871 in Sulky Gully, Victoria). John - a Labourer - and Herbertina moved to Jarradale, WA and then to Midland Junction, Guildford in WA. They married in 1911 and lived in Midland Junction, where John worked as an Engine Driver, before moving to Perth in the 1920s.
Len was an Apprentice Fitter at the MidlandRailway Workshops when he enlisted in the AIF in 1917 with Engineer Reinforcements (Sapper; Service No:21772). He served in France and was a Lance Corporal attached to 9th Field Coy Engineers when he was Discharged in February 1920. Older brother Herbert also served in WWI - he stowed away on the Troopship Ascanius in June 1915 and was attested on board as a Bugler (Service No:663).
Returning from Service, Len worked as a Fitter for the WA Government Railways in Geraldton and Midland Junction and in 1921 married Adelaide Elvira Hammond (b1901 in Geraldton WA). Len and Dorothy lived in Perth, where Len was a Fitter with the WAGR before moving to Bencubbin near Toodyay in WA in the early 1930s.
Len was a Farmer in May 1940 when he enlisted in the RAAF (Leading Aircraftman; Service No:16587), progressing through the ranks to Pilot Officer in 1942, Flying Officer in 1943 and Flight Lieutenant/Squadron Leader in 1944. Len served in Morotai (3 Reserve Personnel Pool, October 1940) and Balikapan (1945) and with No 23 and No 82 Squadrons.
In 1945 RA Dunning W/C 28 Squadron wrote 'This Officer has been of the greatest assistance in every way since joining this Squadron. His ability, resourcefulness and initiative have gone a long way towards smoothing out the numerous difficulties with which the Squadron has met from time to time.
His keeness and enthusiasm has helped to raise and maintain the morale of this Squadron at a high standard.
His knowledge of all phases of Squadron affairs, and particularly his own Section is beyond question.
He is particularly well liked by all ranks. I have no hesitation in stating that he could very satisfactorily hold a position of much greater responsibility than he is doing at present.
I consider he would make an excellent Area Armament Officer' (National Archives Australia)
Len was Discharged in November 1945 and returned to Bencubbin, WA. In 1946 Len was elected to the Australian House of Representatives as the Country Party Member for Swan. In 1947 he and Dorothy were Divorced and in 1948 in Melbourne, Victoria Len remarried Doris Ettie Avent (nee Withington, b1899 in Wannon, Victoria) - Doris was a Typiste .
Len and Doris settled in Bencubbin, WA and in 1949 they moved to Kelmscott in Canning where Len was a Farmer. Len transferred to the new seat of Canning in 1949 - a position he held until 1961. Len also served as President of the WA branch of the Country Party.
Len died in 1987 and Doris in 1993.
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