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.
Thomas de Courcy Hamilton | |
|---|---|
 Depiction of the Siege of Sebastopol | |
| Born | 20 July 1825 Stranraer, Scotland |
| Died | 3 March 1908 (aged 82) Cheltenham, Gloucestershire |
| Buried | Cheltenham Cemetery |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |  British Army |
| Years of service | 1842 - 1872 |
| Rank | Major-General |
| Unit | 90th Regiment of Foot (Perthshire Volunteers) 68th Regiment of Foot |
| Commands held | 64th Regiment of Foot |
| Battles/wars | Crimean War |
| Awards | Victoria Cross |
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 edit
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 edit
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 edit
The medal is held privately by descendants of Thomas de Courcy Hamilton.
References edit
- ^ "No. 21971". The London Gazette. 24 February 1857. p. 661.
- ^ Nicolas Wheatley, Final Journey: The Untold Story of Funeral Trains (The History Press, 2020), p. 254
- Irish Winners of the Victoria Cross (Richard Doherty & David Truesdale, 2000)
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
External links edit
- Location of grave and VC medal (Gloucestershire)