Name
H E Redmond Hamilton
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
19/05/1917
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Captain
Canadian Railway Troops
3rd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
VILLERS STATION CEMETERY, VILLERS-AU-BOIS
X. B. 2.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
St Edmunds College Memorial, Old Hall Green
Biography
The following text was transcribed from the The Edmundian (1814-1819) – The contemporary magazine of St Edmund’s College:
Captain Henry Edward Redmond Hamilton, who was killed in action on May 29th, aged 31, better known as " Redmond Hamilton," was at St. Hugh's Preparatory School from 1891- for about two years, and afterwards at St. Edmund's College. He left at Easter, 1898, to join a naval school at Lea-on-the-Solent, but when there changed his plans and decided to become an engineer, he then joined the Crystal Palace School of Engineering, where he did remarkably well, taking honours and never being lower than second during the time he was going through his course.
From the Crystal Palace he got a position as engineer on the Piccadilly and Brampton Railway, which was then in course of construction, and remained till the line was finished. Having a desire to try his luck abroad, he sailed for Canada, and got an appointment as engineer on the Atlantic and Western Railway, where he worked for three years, but wishing to extend his experience, obtained a place on the Canadian and Northern Railway, and worked on that line until he joined the Canadian Contingent as Lieutenant in September last. The battalion reached England last Christmas, and then he obtained his captaincy, and only left for France on March 20.
Clements, a member of a well-known Catholic family of Vancouver, he leaves no family. Colonel Macdonald writes:- "I much regret I was unable to write before, owing to want of address, as we would wish to offer you the deep sympathy of the whole battalion. Captain Hamilton lost his life on the afternoon of May 19, whilst on duty with his men and in a shell torn area. His men had been driven back twice in the same afternoon by shell fire, but had advanced again, endeavouring to get their work done. Captain Hamilton was in the act of receiving orders from. his company commander, Major McHugh, when the same shell. killed both, and the men were again driven back. I am sure it will be some comfort for you to know that he died doing his duty and showing a brave example to his men, and his loss is deeply regretted by both officers and men of this battalion. He was one of my most efficient and energetic officers, and those of us who know him more intimately found him the best of good fellows. We buried him on May 21, together with Major McHugh, in a cemetery where many other Vancouver officers were buried. His grave is marked and will in no way be disturbed. The funeral was carried out according to the rites of the Roman Catholic Church, and was attended by every officer of the battalion over the rank of Lieutenant. It was strange to us all, as it was carried. on by the sound of artillery, and aeroplanes overhead."
Captain Hamilton was a member of the Institution of Civil Engineering of Canada. In 1915, he married Miss Margaret Farron, daughter of Mrs. Clements, a member of a well-known Catholic family of Vancouver, he leaves no family.
The following notice appeared in The News Letter for June 8:-
"Capt. Henry Edward Redmond Hamil¬ton, Canadian Railway Troops, who was killed in action on May 19th, was the elder son of Dr. and Mrs. Hamilton, Essex House, Barnes.
The deceased officer was an excellent athlete and a good all-round sportsman, being a keen cricketer and footballer, a very powerful and vigorous swimmer, and a good billiard player. His unassuming and engaging manner endeared him to all his friends and acquaintances."
Acknowledgments
Jonty Wild, Di Vanderson, The Edmundian (1814-1819) – The contemporary magazine of St Edmund’s College
