Trafford

Born during the March quarter 1896 in the Altrincham R.D. - ref: 8a/186,
the eldest son of William & Elizabeth Hamilton (nee Curran).

According the the children's ages, the family must have moved from
Manchester to Sale c1893.

1901 Census -  1, Model Cottages, Hope Road, Sale.  Son - aged: 5 - Scholar
- born: Sale.   Head of household - William Hamilton - Married - aged: 29 -
occ: Hackney Coach Driver - born: Liverpool.    Also - Elizabeth Hamilton -
Wife - aged: 29 - born: Derby, Derbyshire.   Plus 6 siblings.

Attended St. Joseph's Church School, Sale.

1911 Census -  3 Thorn Grove, Sale.    Son - aged: 15 - occ: Grocers Errand
Boy - born: Sale.    Head of household - William Hamilton - Married - aged:
39 - occ: Hackney Driver - born: Liverpool.    Also - Elizabeth Hamilton -
Wife - aged: 39 - born: Derby, Derbyshire.   Plus 6 siblings.

Enlisted in August 1914 and at the time of his death, he had been at the
front for 14 months in the Signalling Section.

WO363 - Enlisted into the Cheshire Regiment at Sale on the 9th September
1914 and posted to the 10th Battalion.   Aged: 19 years, 240 days.  Occ:
Labourer.   Height: 5 ft 7½ ins.   Weight: 126 lb.   Chest Measurement:
34/36 ins.   Complexion: Fair.  Eyes: Blue.    Hair: Light Brown.  
Religion: Roman Catholic.    Served - at home (UK) 9th September 1914 to
25th September 1915 (1 year, 18 days).  Embarked at Folkestone and drafted
to France on the 26th September 1915 (until his death - 1 year 15 days).  
He was obviously adverse to attending parades!!!

Conduct Record:-
Bournemouth: 27/12/1914 - 3 days C.B. (confined to barracks) for being
absent from a church parade.
Bourenmouth: 30/12/1914 - 2 days C.B. for being absent from a parade.
Bournemouth: 19/01/1915 - 2 days pay deducted for being absent from
parade.
Bournemouth: 21/01/1915 - 2 days pay deducted for neglecting to fall in to
fill trenches and for being absent from parade.
Cosford: 22/02/1915 - 2 days C.B.for being absent from sick parade.
Aldershot: 09/06/1915 - 2 days C.B. for disobeying an order by not going on
parade when ordered to.
Aldershot: 17/06/1915 - 2 days C.B. for being late on parade.
Aldershot: 28/06/1915 - 3 days C.B. for not complying with an order and not
getting up when told.
Aldershot: 06/07/1915 - 5 days pay deducted for refusing to obey an order
from an N.C.O., not taking a badge out of cap when ordered.
Aldershot: 22/09/1915 - 2 days pay deducted for being improperly dressed
when on parade - not wearing putees.
France: 08/12/1915 - 21 days Field Punishment No.1 for insolence to an
N.C.O. (non-commissioned officer).
[Field Punishment was introduced in 1881 following the abolition of
flogging, and was a common punishment during World War I.  A commanding
officer could award field punishment for up to 28 days, while a court
martial could award it for up to 90 days, either as Field Punishment Number
One or Field Punishment Number Two.   Field Punishment Number One,
consisted of the convicted man being placed in fetters and handcuffs or
similar restraints and attached to a fixed object, such as a gun wheel, for
up to two hours per day.   During the early part of World War I, the
punishment was often applied with the arms stretched out and the legs tied
together, giving rise to the nickname "crucifixion"].

Sickness Record:-  
77 F.A: 11/03/1916 - Admitted - Sprain to left shoulder.
O.C. Bn: 14/04/1916 - Sick.
77 F.A: 15/04/1916 - Admitted - boils.
O.C. Bn: 19/05/1916 - Wounded.
30 C.C.S. at Aubigny: 20/05/1916 - Admitted - G.S.W. and contusion to left
leg (Shrapnel).
12 S.H.at St. Pol: 02/06/1916 - Admitted - Contusion to left leg - sent to
Base.
4 G.H. at Camiers: 02/06/1916 - Admitted - Contusion to left thigh.
4 G.H. at Camiers: 07/06/1916 - Contusion to left leg (shrapnel) - sent to
6 Cas Depot
25 I.B.D. at Rouen: 12/06/1916 To ???
75 F.A: 05/08/1916 - Admitted with Influenza.
29 C.C.S. at Gezaincourt: 09/09/1916 - Admitted with Influenza.
32 S.H. at Wimereaux: 04/08/1916 - Transferred to C.C.
4 I.B.D. at Camiers: 13/09/1916 - To Baths in the Field.
O.C. Bn: 17/09/1916 - Re-joined Battalion.

F.A. = Field Ambulance.
O.C. Bn = Officer Commanding Battalion.
C.C.S. = Casualty Clearing Station.
S.H. = Stationary Hospital.
G.H. = General Hospital.
I.B.D. = Infantry Base Depot.

Part of 25 Division, 7 Brigade.  25 Division had three Field Ambulances
attached - Nos. 75, 76 & 77.

Somme 1916 - Bouzincourt 02/09; Front line 03/09; Bouzincourt 07/09;
Arquèves 08/09; Gézaincourt 10/09; Heuzecourt 11/09; Mesnil-Domqueur
12/09; Gézaincourt 25/09; Arquèves 26/09; Hédauville 29/09; Moved
forward to trenches south face of 'Stuff Redoubt' 30/09; Planned attack
cancelled and withdrew to support trenches 08/10; To 'Stuff Redoubt' 09/10
- Successful attack on German held north face of redoubt at 12.35 hrs -
forward posts established and counter attacks repulsed during evening;
Relieved and to reserve line 10/10.

Killed instantly by a shell, whilst attacking the Schwaben Redoubt, a huge
underground fortification.

Listed in the Guardian Year Book - Roll of Honour for 1917.