Hugh Angus Hamilton

Hugh Angus Hamilton was born on 6th August 1886 in Corryong, Victoria, to Allan Leach Hamilton and Margaret Elizabeth, nee Bell. Like many young Australian males, Hugh honed his shooting skills as a cadet in the local Rifle Club. Hugh wasn’t always well behaved as a teenager, as illustrated by a report in the 7th September 1911 issue of the Corryong Courier.

“UNLAWFUL ASSAULT

The police proceeded against Hugh Hamilton and Leo. Scammell for unlawfully assaulting each other at Corryong on the 11th August. The cases were taken together. Both defendants pleaded guilty. Senior Constable Moore stated that the parties had had an altercation at a dance, and had gone out to settle it. They were usually well behaved boys. - A fine of 5/ was imposed in each case.”

At least five of Allan and Maggie’s sons, Charles, Hugh, Gordon, Wallace and Joseph, enlisted in the 1st AIF and fought overseas. Joseph was killed in action on the Western Front on 24th June 1916.

On 1st September 1915, he enlisted at Melbourne, Victoria. At the time, he was a single, 29-year-old farmer from Corryong, Victoria. He was allocated Regimental Number 4108 and placed in the 10th Reinforcements for the 23rd Battalion. Hugh gave his next of kin as father, Allan Hamilton. After initial training, he embarked on HMAT A18 Wiltshire at Melbourne, Victoria, on 7th March 1916.

During his enlistment period, he was also a member of the 5th Pioneer Battalion and 53rd Battery of the 14th Field Artillery Brigade, being transferred on 16th April 1916 and 5th September 1916, respectively. 

While fighting in the Somme sector of the Western Front, Hugh was wounded by a shell fragment on the right shoulder on 16th November 1916. His “Proceedings of a Medical Board on an Invalid” investigation at Weymouth, England, stated, “Hit by piece of shell casing. Evacuated to C.C.S. [Casualty Clearing Station] where some fragments were extracted. Was suffering from shell shock at the time & does not remember anything about operation, and there are no entries on his A.F. B178. Altogether has had 5 operations for cleaning wound & removal of shell fragments. Arm still feels weak.” The Board concluded that Hugh was permanently unfit for general service but fit for home service.

On 27th September 1917, he returned to Australia aboard HMAT A29 Suevic, with the rank of Gunner. He was discharged on 28th December 1917 and was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal for his service during the war.

Hughes' return to the Upper Murray was recorded in the 22nd November 1917 issue of the Corryong Courier.

“Our Boys."

By ship landing on Sunday last Private Hugh Hamilton, of Corryong, came back to Australia, necessitated by the injuries received to his shoulder through shrapnel wounds some months ago. Apart from a disabled arm Hughie looks well. …”

Shortly after the war, both of Hugh’s parents passed away: Maggie in 1919 and Allan in 1921.

Hugh married Gladys Alma Olive Ayres on 5th January 1921. During the 1930’s, the couple lived on North Road, East Oakleigh, and farmed. He passed away on 15th September 1972 at Koo-Wee-Rup, Victoria and was buried in Lang Lang Cemetery, Victoria.