Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Clarence Lionel Hamilton (1908–1978)

Service No. 48687 – Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF)

Occupation: Nurseryman and Orchardist

Religion: Methodist

Residence: Balhannah and later Elizabeth North, South Australia

Early Life and Civil Employment

Clarence Lionel Hamilton was born on 18 November 1908 in Portsmouth, England, as he later declared in a statutory declaration made at Adelaide on 15 June 1942. Based on that statement, his parents provided the information to confirm his English birth before he emigrated to Australia, where he settled in the Adelaide Hills.

By the 1930s, Hamilton had become a respected nurseryman and orchard worker in Oakbank and Balhannah, South Australia. A reference from L. E. Peacock, dated 29 July 1939, testified:

"C. Hamilton has been in my employ for about nine years, mostly regular, and has been thoroughly reliable in all his work."

This long association in horticulture defined his professional life and reflected his reputation for honesty and dedication.

Employment at Balhannah

Prior to enlisting, Hamilton worked for H. N. Wicks, a leading orchardist and nurseryman of Balhannah. In a handwritten letter of 30 April 1942, Wicks wrote:

"During the past two years he has been in my employ in the orchard and nursery doing general horticultural work. He can handle cars, trucks, and tractors efficiently and has been an eminently satisfactory employee in every way and has always proved capable, honest and dependable."

This testimonial was later used to support his official request for release from the Air Force to return to essential nursery work during wartime manpower shortages.

Enlistment in the Royal Australian Air Force

On 2 May 1942, Hamilton attended an interview and medical examination at the RAAF Recruiting Centre, 18 King William Street, Adelaide, having applied for enlistment earlier that month. His acceptance was confirmed in June 1942, and he received orders to report for duty at 7:30 a.m. on 16 June 1942 for enlistment as an Aircraft Hand, Class 1, Group 5.

His official service record lists the following particulars:

Date of Birth: 18 November 1908
Place of Birth: Portsmouth, England
Religion: Methodist
Occupation in Civil Life: Orchard and Nursery
Marital Status: Married
Next of Kin: Phyllis Maria Hamilton (wife), Balhannah, South Australia
Dental Classification: 9 (fit)

Hamilton signed a service undertaking for the duration of the war and for twelve months thereafter. His initial posting was to No. 6 Service Flying Training School (SFTS), Mallala, where he served as an Aircraft Hand (General Duties), providing essential support in aircraft ground maintenance and airfield operations.

Service in the Northern Territory

Following his initial training, Hamilton was transferred to the North-Western Area Command, based at Darwin, Northern Territory, and posted to No. 9 Replenishing Centre. His duties included stores handling, refuelling operations, and logistical support for aircraft supply units serving in northern operations.

During this time, his performance reports rated his conduct as "Very Good" and his proficiency as satisfactory, demonstrating reliability and competence throughout his service.

Application for Discharge

On 2 December 1943, Hamilton wrote a formal Application for Discharge from the RAAF, addressed to his Commanding Officer at No. 9 Replenishing Centre, Darwin. In it he explained:

"He [H. N. Wicks] has 250,000 young trees in need of attention and only one experienced man working part-time in the nursery. I have had 2½ years' experience as a nurseryman and realise how sadly neglected the nursery must appear. I therefore believe that I would be of greater service to my country if reinstated in my former essential industry."

This appeal was supported by the Department of Labour and National Service, which formally recommended his release to resume civilian employment with Mr. Wicks in Balhannah. The department's memorandum of 24 November 1943, signed by F. K. Dwyer, stated that Hamilton's release was "permanently recommended" on essential industry grounds.

After review and endorsement by RAAF Headquarters, North-Western Area Command (Darwin) and the Air Board, Melbourne, Hamilton was discharged under Air Force Regulation 115 (t) — "To resume civil occupation."

His discharge took effect on 10 January 1944, and on 17 January 1944, he signed to acknowledge receipt of his Certificate of Service and Discharge. His record notes his character as "Very Good."

Return to Civilian Life

Following discharge, Clarence Hamilton returned to his home and employment in Balhannah, continuing work vital to South Australia's horticultural and reforestation programs. His return was an example of wartime coordination between the RAAF and the Department of Labour to ensure that skilled tradesmen could continue to contribute to the national effort in essential civilian industries.

Hamilton's experience demonstrated both patriotism and practicality — serving his country first in uniform, then through the steady work of rebuilding and sustaining agricultural output on the home front.

Death

Clarence Lionel Hamilton died on 19 September 1978, aged 69, at his residence, 4 Keevill Street, Elizabeth North, South Australia.

He was survived by his wife, Phyllis Maria Hamilton.

Official South Australian Death Registration:

Surname: Hamilton
Given Names: Clarence Lionel
Death Date: 19 September 1978
Age: 69 years
Residence and Place of Death: 4 Keevill Street, Elizabeth North, S.A.
Spouse: Phyllis Maria Hamilton
Registry Reference: Book 417A, Page 7100

Summary Timeline

18 Nov 1908 – Born, Portsmouth, England
1920s–1930s – Worked in nursery and orchard industries, Oakbank
29 Jul 1939 – Reference from L. E. Peacock confirms nine years' service
30 Apr 1942 – Reference from H. N. Wicks, Balhannah
16 Jun 1942 – Enlisted in RAAF at Adelaide
1942–43 – Served at Mallala and Darwin (No. 9 Replenishing Centre)
2 Dec 1943 – Applied for discharge to resume essential civil occupation
10 Jan 1944 – Discharged from RAAF, character "Very Good"
19 Sep 1978 – Died at Elizabeth North, aged 69

Sources

National Archives of Australia, Series A9301, Item 48687 – Hamilton, Clarence Lionel – RAAF Service Record (1942–1944)
South Australian Death Registration, Book 417A, Page 7100
Department of Labour and National Service, File M/6662 (Adelaide, 24 Nov 1943)
Personal References:
L. E. Peacock, Oakbank (29 July 1939)
H. N. Wicks, Balhannah (30 April 1942)
RAAF Correspondence: Headquarters North-Western Area, Darwin; Air Board, Melbourne; Manpower Branch, Adelaide (Dec 1943–Jan 1944)

Biography by Trevor Pyatt 22/10/2025