Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

"SERGEANT HAMILTON.

Sergeant C. B. Hamilton, 19 (died of wounds) was a native of Morwell, and was educated at Tatura and Echuca State schools. He volunteered at the outbreak of the war. At time of his enlistment he was second lieutenant in the Senior Cadets, Caulfield. He was a clerk in the Federal Land Tax Office, and was the second son of Mr. James A. Hamilton, Victorian Railways, of Blackwood-street, Murrumbeena, and formerly of Echuca." - from the Echuca and Moama Advertiser and Farmers Gazette 05 Jun 1915 (nla.gov.au)

Lieut. Hamilton fell in the advance on Krithia, May 8, 1915. He was leading his platoon when he was seriously wounded in the right thigh. He died ten days later in Deaconess Hospital, Alexandria. Lieut. Hamilton gained the rudiments of military work, which was his hobby, as a junior cadet at Echuca, winning several "medals in rifle competitions; joined G.P.O. as messenger, and by examination  was promoted to External Affairs Department, and finally to the office of Commonwealth Land Tax Commissioner (clerical). As lieutenant in the Caulfield Senior Cadets, he enlisted (with parents'  consent ) at outbreak of war, was qui,-kly promoted to sergeant; in Egypt, platoon sergeant and Q.M.S., and lieutenant for excellent work at the Landing and early days at Anzac . Despite the fact that  he had spent the night unattended on being wounded, he refused assistance from two of the 15th platoon, who volunteered to bring in "their young officer. "To Bert's everlasting credit," wrote Lieut.  Little, be it said, he refused to be moved while there were worse wounded men to he attended to." When eventually he was moved he had only been carried a short distance when he was again hit, this time through the body. He reached hospital on May 16, and succumbed to his wounds two days later His grave is in Chatby Military Cemetery. Lieut. Hamilton was of exceptionally fine physique, standing 6ft. 2in. at 18 years, and about 13st. weight; a fine athlete and of studious character. Many letters received by his parents testify to the esteem in which Lieut. Hamilton was held, both on the  he'd and as a business colleague. He was probably the youngest commissioner officer of those who took part in the stirring days of the first Landing, or in the attack on Krithia. Twenty three years was  the minimum age for officers in Australia, yet Lieut. Hamilton was but 19 and one month when he fell.

All Australia Memorial