Wallace Leslie Hamilton

Wallace Leslie Hamilton was born on 2nd January 1896 in Corryong, Victoria, to Allan Leach Hamilton and Margaret (Maggie) Elizabeth, nee Bell. Like many young Australian males, Wallace honed his shooting skills as a cadet in the local Rifle Club.

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 13th February 1917, he enlisted at Wangaratta, Victoria. At the time, he was a single, 21-year-old farmer from Corryong, Victoria. He was allocated Regimental Number 35899 and placed in the 28th Reinforcements for the 8th Field Artillery Brigade. Wallace Leslie gave his father, Allan Hamilton, as his next of kin.

It was customary for towns to provide men off to the front with a send-off. Wallace was given his on the 4th June. As reported in the Corryong Courier three days later;

“Soldier Farewelled.

At the rifle club social on Monday evening last, opportunity was taken to say farewell to Private Wallace Hamilton who is up this week on leave. Mr T. C. Davis, captain of the Corryong Rifle Club, said that he was pleased to see so many present. Their guest was a member of the club and had that day done himself credit at the butts. Out of 90 members at the start of the war there were now over 40 at the front or on the road, besides which number twelve or fourteen had volunteered but through various causes had been rejected. He was very sorry to see such fine fellows going, but it was our duty to send them along, at the same time keeping a straight face. He wished Pte. Hamilton a safe voyage and speedy return …”

After initial training, he embarked on HMAT A15 Port Sydney at Melbourne, Victoria, on 9th November 1917. Wallace would join the 8th FAB on the Western Front. At this stage, there were four gun batteries in the Brigade, three of which operated six 18-pounder guns per battery, whilst the fourth used howitzers. The brigade was involved in major defensive and offensive operations, including the Battle of Amiens in August 1918.

On 3rd July 1919, he returned to Australia aboard HT Prinz Hubertus, with the rank of Gunner. He was discharged on 16th September 1919, being awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal for his service during the war.

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

After surviving the perils of the war, Wallace nearly came to grief along the roads in Corryong. The 11th November issue of the Corryong Courier reported the complete story.

“A Sensational Bolt.

Yesterday morning, Mr Wallace Hamilton had a sensational bolt and a marvellous escape from serious, if not fatal, injury. He was driving a four-horse waggon [sic] loaded with sawn timber from Thougla to Corryong. On top of the hill above the Manse the brake failed to hold the wheels, and, gaining more impetus all the time, his team bolted down the steep incline of Donaldson Street. When at the intersection with Hanson Street, the driver, who kept his head splendidly, tried to turn them westward down the main street but the turn was too sharp for the pace and the weight, and the waggon swung round, striking the tree-guard just at the corner of McGrath’s shop. This was just where the trouble might have occurred, as the pace was very fast, but, luckily, both wheels on the right side of the waggon snapped off and let the load and the waggon to the ground, Hamilton being bumped over to the verandah, unscathed, with the reins in his hands and still in control of the horses, which also had escaped injury. Quite a crowd soon gathered, marvelling over the miraculous escape, and congratulating Wallace upon being so fortunate.”

Wallace married Bertha Duclie Stuart Young on 3rd June 1923. The couple spent time in the Corryong district before moving to Cornella, near Toolleen, Victoria, where the family continued farming. In the late 40s, the family moved once again to nearby Murchison. Wallace passed away on 29th August 1957 at Mooroopna, Victoria and was buried in Fawkner Memorial Park, Fawkner, Victoria.