Hamilton Sir Ian

Sir Ian Standish Monteith Hamilton was born in Corfu on 16th January 1853. He joined the army in 1872 and served with the Suffolk’s in Ireland after which he served with the 92nd Gordon Highlanders in Afghanistan where he became Aide de Camp to Lord Roberts. In 1880 as a Lieutenant he was with General Colley at the Battle of Majuba and later in the Nile Campaign. He was sent to South Africa in 1899 as a temporary Major-General and Chief of Staff to Sir George White. At Elandslaagte he was recommended for a Victoria Cross. This was refused since, as a general officer he should not have exposed himself to enemy fire. He took part in the Battle of Ladysmith and was involved in close fighting at Wagon Point during the Battle of Platrand.

After the relief of Ladysmith he was transferred to command the Mounted Infantry and was promoted to the rank of Major-General. He participated in Lord Roberts’ drive from Bloemfontein during which time he fell from his horse and broke his collarbone. He subsequently returned to England with Lord Roberts and become Military Secretary. Towards the end of the war he returned to South Africa as Chief of Staff to Lord Kitchener.

He was in command at Gallipoli during World War 1 and when this proved to be a disaster he was recalled. He went on to become President of the British Legion and Lord Rector of Edinburgh University. He died in London on 12th October 1947.