Herbert Hamilton

Captain Herbert James Hamilton (30 April 1895 – 13 June 1918) was a British flying ace of World War I, credited with seven aerial victories.

Early life Hamilton was born on 30 April 1895 in Hornsey, Middlesex, the second son of Arthur Ernest and Florence Jane Hamilton. He was educated at the Stationers' Company's School and entered the wholesale silk trade.

World War I Hamilton enlisted into the 28th (County of London) Battalion of The London Regiment (Artists Rifles) as a private on 30 September 1913, serving in France and Flanders from October 1914 as part of the British Expeditionary Force.

In February 1916 he was seconded to the Royal Flying Corps as an observer. Posted to No. 20 Squadron, flying the F.E.2b, on 21 July 1916 Hamilton and pilot Captain Reginald Maxwell shot down a Rumpler C reconnaissance aircraft west of Lille. He remained at Montrose for nine months as an instructor before returning to France in August 1917. and gained his second victory by driving down a DFW C reconnaissance aircraft over Comines the next day. and joined No. 29 Squadron. In his Nieuport 27 he drove down two more enemy aircraft on 5 December 1917 and 16 February 1918. Hamilton returned to No. 1 Squadron in March, and flying the S.E.5a destroyed a balloon on the 9th, and two aircraft on the 11th and 13th. He is buried in Islington Cemetery, London.

Honours and awards Hamilton was awarded the Military Cross, which was gazetted posthumously on 26 July 1918. His citation read: Lieutenant (Temporary Captain) Herbert James Hamilton, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, attached Royal Air Force. "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has on many occasions displayed the utmost dash and fearlessness in engaging enemy aircraft at close range, and has succeeded in destroying a considerable number. He also attacked with machine-gun fire and from low altitudes enemy formations on the ground and dropped bombs on points of importance behind the hostile lines. He has invariably shown great determination and a fine offensive spirit."