Thomas de Courcy Hamilton

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Thomas de Courcy Hamilton
The Battle of Sebastopol.png
Depiction of the Siege of Sebastopol
Born20 July 1825
Stranraer, Scotland
Died3 March 1908 (aged 82)
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
Buried
Cheltenham Cemetery
AllegianceFlag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom
Service / branch Flag of the British Army.svg British Army
Years of service1842 - 1872
Rank Major-General
Unit 90th Regiment of Foot (Perthshire Volunteers)
68th Regiment of Foot
Commands 64th Regiment of Foot
Battles / wars Crimean War
Awards Victoria Cross

Major-General Thomas de Courcy Hamilton VC (20 July 1825 – 3 March 1908) was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Contents

Joining the British Army as an ensign in the 90th Regiment of Foot (Perthshire Volunteers) in 1842, he exchanged into the 68th Regiment of Foot in 1848.

Citation

Hamilton was 27 years old, and a captain in the 68th Regiment of Foot, on active service during the Crimean War at the Siege of Sebastopol, when the following deed took place, for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross:

"For having, on the night of the 11th May, 1855, during a most determined sortie, boldly charged the enemy, with a small force, from a battery of which they had obtained possession in great numbers, thereby saving the works from falling into the hands of the enemy. He was conspicuous on this occasion for his gallantry, and daring conduct". [1]

Later life

Hamilton's grave in Cheltenham Cemetery Thomas de Courcy Hamilton VC grave.jpg
Hamilton's grave in Cheltenham Cemetery

Hamilton remained on the active list until 1872, when he was a Brevet colonel. He had a long retirement, dying in 1908, and was buried at the Bouncer's Lane Cemetery, Cheltenham, with his wife and son. [2]

The medal

The medal is held privately by descendants of Thomas de Courcy Hamilton.

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References

  1. ↑ "No. 21971". The London Gazette . 24 February 1857. p. 661.
  2. ↑ Nicolas Wheatley, Final Journey: The Untold Story of Funeral Trains (The History Press, 2020), p. 254
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