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Local Heroes WW1
HAMILTON, Robert John Joseph
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- Last Updated: Monday, 04 May 2015 23:33
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(Cpl) Robert John Joseph Hamilton
Corporal John Joseph Hamilton 168 a Labourer from Robin Street, Kew, Semaphore, South Australia , prior to enlistment 20th August 1914, he embarked with the 10th Battalion, D Company from Adelaide, South Australia, on board Transport HMAT A11 Ascanius on 20 October 1914.
| Regimental number | 168 |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Occupation | Labourer |
| Address | Robin Street, Kew, Semaphore, South Australia |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 21 |
| Next of kin | Brother, C J Hamilton, Robin Street, South Australia |
| Enlistment date | 20-Aug-14 |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 10th Battalion, D Company |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/27/1 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board Transport A11 Ascanius on 20 October 1914 |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Corporal |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 10th Battalion |
| Fate | Returned to Australia 13 February 1917 |
| Miscellaneous details (Nominal Roll) | *Given name Robert John |
Family Connections
Hamilton, Cyril Percival
| World War 2 Service Record | |
| Name | HAMILTON, CYRIL PERCIVAL |
| Service | Australian Army |
| Service Number | S1594 |
| Date of Birth | 29 Sep 1899 |
| Place of Birth | SEMAPHORE, SA |
| Date of Enlistment | 11-Jun-41 |
| Locality on Enlistment | MOUNT GAMBIER, SA |
| Place of Enlistment | KESWICK, SA |
| Next of Kin | HAMILTON, DOREEN |
| Date of Discharge | 31-Oct-45 |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Posting at Discharge | 4 AUSTRALIAN GARRISON BATTALION |
| WW2 Honours and Gallantry | None for display |
| Prisoner of War | No |
Honours
Robert John Joseph Hamilton was entitled to wear one ‘Wound Stripe’ on the left forearm sleeve of his tunic, and was later awarded the 1914/15 Star Medal, British War Medal and Victory Medal which were sent to him by Base Records Melbourne. From 336,931 Australians who embarked for overseas service (excluding the RAN), there were 155,133 ‘woundings’ (including gassing and shell-shock). There were 5,583 Australian soldiers wounded three times, 807 four times, 105 five times and 10 six times. One soldier is recorded as having been wounded seven times.
The 1914–15 Star is a campaign medal of the British Empire that was awarded to officers and men of British and Imperial forces who served in any theatre of World War I against the Central European Powers during 1914 and 1915. The medal was never awarded singly and recipients were also awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
The British War Medal 1914-1920 was awarded to members of British and Imperial forces for service between the outbreak of hostilities on 5 August 1914 and the Armistice on 11 November 1918, although eligibility was extended to include service in various theatres up to 1920. Some 5.7 million medals in silver were issued throughout the British Commonwealth, of which 338,000 were awarded to Australians.
The Victory Medal 1914-1919 was awarded to members of British and Imperial forces for operational service only, between 5 August 1914 and 11 November 1918, although eligibility was extended to include service in various theatres during 1919. Some 5.7 million medals were issued throughout the British Commonwealth – 336,000 were awarded to Australians.
Robert John Joseph Hamilton was also entitled to receive the ‘Discharged Returned Soldier Badge’, which was instituted in 1916 for members of the AIF who had returned to Australia from active service overseas and been discharged. Some 267,300 badges were issued: it was only for wear with civilian dress, to allow veterans to show that they had served.
The Semaphore War Memorial was dedicated in 1925 to honour all of those from the district who fought in the war, such as Corporal Robert John Joseph Hamilton.
Local Commemoration
The Flinders Medical Hospital
Photographs and news paper clipings of Robert John Joseph Hamilton are hanging in the foyer on Level two in The Flinders Medical Hospital with all the other photographs of the 100th year of the Gallipoli Veterans (2015).
Semaphore
The Semaphore War Memorial on the Esplanade was dedicated in 1925 to honour all of those from the district who fought in the war. A temporary ‘Memorial Arch’ of wood and iron was first erected at the entrance to the Semaphore Jetty bearing the banner title, ‘For King & Empire’. On 27 April 1924, four foundation stones for the new memorial were laid at the approach to the jetty – one on behalf of the citizens of Port Adelaide district, one for the returned soldiers and sailors, one on behalf of the parents of the fallen men, and one on behalf of the widows and orphans.
Sergeant Robert John Joseph Hamilton was most likely among the several thousand people who attended the unveiling of the Semaphore War Memorial on 24 May 1925. Joining them would undoubtedly have been his younger brother Cyril Percival Hamilton, a WW2 returned soldier .
The following year, a granite obelisk was erected on the foundation stones, with an electric ‘turret type’ clock and topped by a marble Angel of Peace with wings outspread. The local newspaper noted, “all the names of those who enlisted from the district or who made the supreme sacrifice cannot be placed on the monument” so it instead bears a simple commemorative plaque.
On 27 April 1924, four foundation stones for the Semaphore War Memorial were laid at the approach to the jetty – including this stone laid by Colonel Charles Philip Butler DSO (ex-43rd Battalion AIF) on behalf of the returned sailors and soldiers such as Corporal Robert John Joseph Hamilton.
Semaphore & Port Adelaide RSL
For the 2015 commemoration of the Anzac Centenary, the Semaphore & Port Adelaide RSL has created a Virtual Honour Board listing the names of over 2,000 local men who volunteered to serve in World War 1. Among them are counted Robert John Joseph Hamilton a Labourer from Semaphore and a wounded veteran of service in Ypres, France.
