Lieutenant William des Voeux Hamilton, HMS Active

Surname: Hamilton, First Names : William des Voeux

Date promoted :
Lieutenant: 22/12/1874
Mate/Sub Lieutenant:: 18/12/1872
Midshipman: 13/06/1868

Date of Navy List - Appointment and date:
June 1870 : 016 - Agincourt 12 Jun 69
June 1879 : 005 - Active 25 Oct 76

Lieutenant William des Voeux Hamilton commanded Co.” A” of the Naval Brigade at the Battle Inyezane. They were involved in the charge against the Zulu position. He was part of the garrison at Eshowe. Upon Commander Campbell's promotion to commanding officer of combined naval brigade of Active, Shah, Boadicea and Tenedos, Hamilton as placed in command of the Active's contingent. He accompanied the naval brigade to Port Durnford. Hamilton served ashore from 19 Nov 78 to 21 Jul 79. He was Mentioned in Despatches, and received the SAGS Medal with ‘1877-8-9 ‘Clasp, (Confirmed on the Medal Roll.)

In Norbury’s photo of the Officer of HMS Active, January 1879, Hamilton is the second from the right in the front row.

His letters home to his father were published in “Letters from Afghanistan, 1878-80, and from Kaffraria and Zululand, 1877-78-79” from Lieut. W. Des. V. Hamilton, R.N., (of H.M.S. "Active") and his brother (Afghanistan), published by the Dublin Steam Printing Company, 1881.

Petty Officer Tom

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The Graphic 31 January 1903

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Army and Navy Gazette 23 February 1907

graves,

Thanks for the posting of his photograph and obituary.

Tom

"Vice Admiral William Des Voeux Hamilton  was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant with seniority of 22 December, 1874.On 26 May, 1878, he was gazetted for service with the Naval Brigade against the Keffirs at the Cape. Hamilton was promoted to the rank of Commander on 7 September, 1883. Hamilton was promoted to the rank of Captain on 30 June, 1889. He assumed command of the first class protected cruiser Grafton in September 1895, remaining with her until May 1896. On 9 May, the German government thanked Hamilton and the officers and men of Grafton for their service in assisting the shipwrecked crew of the steamer Nespel. He was appointed in command of the battleship Ramillies on 10 November, 1896, and assumed command on 9 December. He was also appointed Chief of Staff to the Commander in Chief, Mediterranean, Sir John O. Hopkins. Hamilton was granted 31 days leave to England on 30 January, 1899 for domestic affection. He was reappointed a Naval Aide de Camp, to King Edward VII, on 25 February, 1901. Flag Rank. Hamilton was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral dated 21 January, 1903, vice Jenkings. An appointment to be Second in Command on the China Station dated 1 May, 1905 was cancelled, as he was ill and unable to travel. Instead, he took a Signal Course in November, 1905, followed by a Gunnery and Torpedo Course and finally completed a War Course on 25 January, 1907. Hamilton was promoted to the rank of Vice Admiral on 13 February, 1907, vice Powell. He died just two days later, of heart failure precipitated by Mediterranean fever."


"Vice Admiral William Des Voeux Hamilton signed Navy official conduct certificate on 7 x 6 inch sized page. These were to certify, when Junior Officers moved or the Captain moved that their conduct was up to standard. 1852 - 1907 Navel Brigade in Kaffirs War. Chief of Staff Med. 1896."
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The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (Weekly), 23 March 1905, Page 178

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Shipley Times and Express - Friday 30 January 1903