Private William Hamilton

 

William Hamilton as born on 26 February 1892 at 22 Hooker Street, Belfast, the last of three children of labourer John Hamilton and his wife Elizabeth (née Brown). His mother died when he was just two years old. It has not been possible to identify him for certain in the 1901 and 1911 Irish Censuses, but it seems he was raised by relatives, perhaps on a farm.

Hamilton enlisted in the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons Service Squadron at Belfast on 14 November 1914 (No. UD/141). He gave his occupation as a farmer, and his address as 65 Mossvale Street, Belfast. This was the address of his next of kin, his aunt Maria Hyndman (née Brown), the sister of his late mother.

On 6 October 1915 Hamilton embarked for France with his squadron, which was then serving as divisional cavalry to the 36th (Ulster) Division. In June 1916 the Inniskilling squadron joined with C and F Squadrons of the North Irish Horse to form the 2nd North Irish Horse Regiment, serving as corps cavalry to X Corps until September 1917, when the regiment was disbanded and most of its men transferred to the infantry.

Hamilton, however, was not one of those transferred, having returned to the UK on 12 August 1917, probably due to illness or debility. There he was posted for agricultural work. On 18 October he was transferred to the Labour Corps (No.429708) and posted to No.570 Agricultural Company.

In December 1918 he was deprived of six days' pay for being absent for six days. On 29 April 1919 he was demobilised and transferred to Class Z, Army Reserve.

Following his demobilisation Hamilton lived at 19 Ebrington Street, Waterside, Londonderry. He was granted a pension from 28 April 1920 for deafness (attributed to his service) and delusional insanity (aggravated by his service), his level of disability assessed at 20 per cent.

On 30 December 1921 he was admitted to an asylum.

 

This page last updated 10 April 2023.