Edward William HAMILTON MM

Edward William HAMILTON MM Update Details

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HAMILTON, Edward William

Service Numbers:	1105, 763
Enlisted:	1 October 1914
Last Rank:	Private
Last Unit:	3rd Infantry Battalion
Born:	Moree, New South Wales, Australia, 7 March 1893
Home Town:	St Kilda, Port Phillip, Victoria
Schooling:	Not yet discovered
Occupation:	Engineer's Fitter
Died:	Natural Causes, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia, 7 January 1965, aged 71 years
Cemetery:	Ballarat New Cemetery and Crematorium, Victoria
Memorials:	Moree Superior Public School WW1 Roll of Honour

World War 1 Service

1 Oct 1914:	Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 1105, 3rd Infantry Battalion
22 Dec 1914:	Involvement Private, 1105, 3rd Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '7' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Themistocles embarkation_ship_number: A32 public_note: ''
22 Dec 1914:	Embarked Private, 1105, 3rd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Themistocles, Melbourne
29 Aug 1915:	Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 1105, 3rd Infantry Battalion, ANZAC / Gallipoli, Returned to Australia due to sickness
3 Dec 1915:	Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 1105, 3rd Infantry Battalion, 2nd MD
12 Jan 1916:	Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 763, 60th Infantry Battalion
16 Dec 1916:	Involvement Private, 763, 2nd ANZAC Cyclist Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '3' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Medic embarkation_ship_number: A7 public_note: ''
16 Dec 1916:	Embarked Private, 763, 2nd ANZAC Cyclist Battalion, HMAT Medic, Melbourne
3 Feb 1917:	Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 2nd ANZAC Cyclist Battalion
29 Sep 1917:	Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 3rd Infantry Battalion
12 Aug 1918:	Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 763, 3rd Infantry Battalion, The Battle of Amiens, GSW to left arm
12 Dec 1918:	Honoured Military Medal, German Spring Offensive 1918, 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty at MONT de MERRIS near STRAZEELE, France, on 14th April, 1918. During a heavy attack Private BAILEY heedless of the heavy barrage passed through and warned the front line posts of a flank attack. At all times during the operations he showed great courage and utter disregard of personal safety and was instrumental in keeping communication with his Company posts during the heavy barrage. At all times he was under direct observation and was subjected to heavy machine gun fire in addition to the barrage fire. His bravery earned for him the greatest admiration of all ranks.' Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette No 191
1 Jul 1919:	Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 763, 3rd Infantry Battalion, 3rd MD

Help us honour Edward William Hamilton's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.

Biography contributed by Evan Evans

From AWM

Enlisted under alias 763 Private (Pte) Edward William Hamilton Bailey (real name Edward William Hamilton) 2nd Cyclist Battalion from St Kilda, Victoria holding a baby. A 21 year old labourer prior to enlisting for the first time on 1 October 1914, he embarked for overseas with the 1st Reinforcements of the 3rd Battalion from Melbourne on 22 December 1914 aboard HMAT Themistocles (A32). While serving at Gallipoli, he was taken ill and evacuated to Cairo and then returned to Australia and discharged medically unfit for further service on 3 December 1915. He re-enlisted on 3 November 1916 and embarked for overseas as an Acting Corporal (service number 763) with the 7th Reinforcements of the 2nd Cyclist Battalion from Melbourne on 16 December 1916 aboard HMAT Medic (A7). Following further training in England, he joined the 3rd Battalion in France. While there he was awarded a Military Medal for bravery in keeping open communications with company posts to warn of danger at Mont de Merris near Strazeele, France on 14 April 1918. He was later wounded in action on 12 August 1918 near Harbonniers, France. After being evacuated to England for medical treatment, he was returned to Australia, arriving on 8 May 1919. Although shown wearing Sergeant stripes (see photos), he was a Private throughout his whole service except for the duration of the voyage from Australia to England in December 1916 when he was an Acting Corporal.

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