Trooper Walter HAMILTON (1889-1918).

Service # 11/1804; Trooper, Wellington Mounted Rifles, 2nd Squadron, 10th (Nelson) Company, 8th Reinforcements, New Zealand Expeditionary Forces (NZEF).

Walter was the son of Mrs Emily Hamilton - of Nydia Bay, Havelock, Marlborough Region, South Island, New Zealand.

Walter's brother William also served, and died, in World War 1.

Prior to enlistment for war service Walter Hamilton was a Farmer - at Manaia, Taranaki District, North Island, New Zealand.

Walter Hamilton enlisted for war service - on 23 August 1915 - at Trentham Military Training Camp, Wellington Region, North Island, New Zealand.

At enlistment Walter Hamilton was posted as a Trooper - with the Canterbury Mounted Rifles, 8th Reinforcements, NZEF.

On 13 November 1915 Trooper Hamilton left New Zealand for overseas war service - with the 8th Reinforcements NZEF - aboard HMNZ T35 "Willochra" - from Port of Wellington, North Island, New Zealand.

Five weeks later - on 20 December 1915 - Trooper Hamilton disembarked from his transport ship from New Zealand - at Suez, Egypt.

At Zeitoun, Egypt - on 8 January 1916 - Trooper Hamilton was transferred to the Mounted Brigade, New Zealand Mounted Division, NZEF.

One month later - on 4 February 1916 - Trooper Hamilton re-joined the Wellington Mounted Rifles, 2nd Squadron - at Serapeum.

On 19 July 1916 Trooper Hamilton was admitted to hospital at Port Said, Egypt - with ear problems (deafness). He re-joined his Squadron - on 31 July 1917.

Trooper Hamilton was, again, admitted to hospital (sick) - on 10 May 1917. Six months later - on 6 December 1917 he was discharged from hospital - and he re-joined his Squadron, with the Canterbury Mounted Rifles.

Trooper Walter Hamilton continued to serve with the 2nd Squadron, of the Canterbury Mounted Regiment, New Zealand (ANZAC) Mounted Division - until he was killed in action - on 13 July 1918 - in the field, at Palestine.

Trooper Walter Hamilton is commemorated on the Jerusalem Memorial, Jerusalem War Cemetery, Israel.

Trooper Walter Hamilton is also remembered at his hometown in New Zealand - on the Portage Pass War Memorial (1914-1918) - at the Portage, Pelorus Sound, Marlborough Region, South Island, New Zealand.

For Trooper Walter Hamilton's full military record refer to New Zealand Online Cenotaph : www.aucklandmuseum.com

Photo Credit: Portage Pass War Memorial : Ministry of Culture & Heritage; New Zealand Government.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jenifer Everett