Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Great War 1918 ‘Western Front’ Nieuport Scout and S.E.5a Ace’s M.C. group of four awarded to Captain H. J. Hamilton, Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force, late Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry and 28th (County of London) Battalion, London Regiment (Artist’s Rifles). Hamilton served operationally for 6 months as an Observer with 20 Squadron, before retraining as a Pilot and going on to be credited with at least 7 ‘Victories’ flown with 1 and 29 Squadrons. He was killed in a flying accident whilst stationed with 68 (Training) Squadron at Tadcaster, 13 June 1918

Military Cross, G.V.R., reverse engraved ‘Capt. Herbert J. Hamilton R.F.C. Over Comines 12.10.1917 to 26.3.1918’; 1914 Star, with clasp (1238 Pte H. J. Hamilton. 1/28 Lond: R.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt. H. J. Hamilton. R.A.F.) mounted for wear, generally very fine or better (4)
£3,000-£4,000

Provenance: Spink, December 1988.

M.C. London Gazette 26 July 1918:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has on many occasions displayed utmost dash and fearlessness in engaging enemy aircraft at close range, and has succeeded in destroying a considerable number. He also attacked with machine-gun fire and from low altitude, enemy formations on the ground, and dropped bombs on points of importance behind hostile lines. He has invariably shown determination and a fine offensive spirit.’

Herbert James Hamilton was the son of A. E. Hamilton, a Jeweller, of 59 Ridge Road, Stroud Green, Middlesex, and was born in April 1895. Hamilton was educated at Stationer’s Company School, London, and volunteered for service with the 28th (County of London) Battalion, London Regiment (Artists’ Rifles) in September 1913. He served during the Great War with the Battalion in the French theatre of war from 28 October 1914.

Hamilton was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 1st Battalion, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry in August 1915. He served with the Battalion at Maricout on the Somme during the winter of 1915, and was frequently on patrol at night in No Man’s Land. On the night of 7 November, Hamilton was leading a patrol when they were caught out in the open and fired upon. On the night of 4/5 January 1916, the enemy raided a listening post manned by his platoon. Approximately 20 Germans advanced on the post but were spotted by the sentries - a short bombing duel followed, after which Hamilton’s men forced them to withdraw.

Hamilton transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in March 1916, and commenced training as an Observer. He was posted for operational flying as a Probationary to 20 Squadron (F.E.2b’s) at Clairmarais during the same month. The Squadron was primarily engaged on reconnaissance and escort duties. Hamilton flew in ‘C’ Flight, a contemporary of his being James McCudden - the latter making a brief mention of Hamilton in his book Flying Fury.

After several abortive combats in April 1916, Hamilton finally met with success when flying with Captain R. S. Maxwell (M.C., D.F.C. and ‘Ace’ by the end of the war), as his pilot, 21 July 1916. On the latter date, the pair carried out a patrol west of Lille and engaged a Rumpler C. at a range of about 250 yards. Five drums were fired in all, the last when they had closed to some 60-70 yards. The enemy aircraft dived steeply, smoke was seen trailing out behind when it entered cloud at 2,000 feet still diving.

Having completed his tour, Hamilton returned to the UK to carry on training as a Pilot. He gained his ‘Wings’ in November 1916, and served as an instructor at Montrose. During his nine month posting, Hamilton amassed some 500 flying hours. He returned to operational flying, this time as a pilot, with 1 Squadron (Nieuport Scouts) in August 1917. Hamilton met with success, when he shared a two-seater forced down out of control with the Canadian pilot Captain G. B. Moore, M.C. (later an ‘Ace’), 2 October 1917. On the latter date, Hamilton and Moore were flying a patrol at 4,000 feet near Comines. They observed some Aviatik two seaters working between Comines and Wervicq. Moore dived on one and fired a whole drum, then Hamilton dived and fired another drum into it. The enemy observer fired at first but was evidently wounded or killed as he disappeared from view leaving his gun pointing upwards. The aircraft went down out of control and was last seen about 200 feet from the ground going down steeply. Moore and Hamilton were then forced away by four other enemy aircraft.

Hamilton continued to fly patrols over the Ypres sector, advanced to Lieutenant, 22 October 1917, and to Temporary Captain and Flight Commander the following month. He received a temporary posting as Flight Commander to 29 Squadron (Nieuport Scouts), 23 November - 24 February 1917. Hamilton added to his score when he shared another enemy aircraft forced down out of control, 5 December 1917. He shared the Albatross with Second Lieutenant F. J. Williams east of Staden. Hamilton went on to lead his Flight in many successful combats, before adding his final victory whilst with 29 Squadron, 16 February 1918. On the latter date he was leading a patrol of twelve Nieuports, when he spotted a two-seater just below them. Using the sun he dived on the enemy and when about 100 yards from it and under his tail, Hamilton fired nearly a drum into the enemy aircraft which went into a steep right-hand spiral near Moorslede.

Hamilton returned to 1 Squadron, who had converted to S.E.5a’s , and shot down an enemy observation balloon near Lomme, 9 March 1918. Two days later, he shared a Rumpler C with Second Lieutenant P. J. Clayson (later an ‘Ace’) whilst on patrol over the Ypres sector. Hamilton also dropped a bomb on Houtem railway station during the patrol. He added his final success of the war, 13 March 1918, when he shared in forcing down out of control an enemy Scout near Wieltje. Hamilton took part in many ground-straffing attacks during the German spring offensive, and was himself forced down by a Fokker Triplane east of Amiens, 26 March 1918. His aircraft had suffered considerable damage from anti-aircraft fire and was struck off strength. Hamilton and the other members of the Squadron often flew 5-6 hours of operational flying a day during this intensive period.

Hamilton returned to the Home Establishment for a well earned rest, and was posted to 68 (Training) Squadron at Tadcaster in Yorkshire. He was killed in a flying accident in Sopwith Camel, ‘C158’ at Tadcastle, 13 June 1918, when the port wing of the aircraft broke up at 2,000. The machine fell to the ground, and Captain Hamilton, aged 23, was killed.

Captain Hamilton is buried in Islington Cemetery, Finchley. His Military Cross was announced posthumously.

Sold with copied research, and a photographic image of recipient in uniform.