Hamilton, Robert (Bobby)
Rifleman
No. 18/932, 12th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles
Killed in action on Thursday 27 June 1918 (aged 22)
Buried:
Premont British Cemetery, France (Grave IV. A. 26)
Commemorated:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Donaghadee and District War Memorial
Donaghadee Parish Church of Ireland Church
Brother of Rifleman George Hamilton (No. 18/1088)
Brother of Rifleman Hans Hamilton (No. 18/998)
BIOGRAPHY
Robert Hamilton was born on 13 January 1896 in Hogstown and he was the third son of Robert and Margaret (Maggie) Hamilton (nee Maxwell) who were married on 7 April 1890 in Donaghadee Parish Church of Ireland Church. Robert Hamilton was a son of Hans Hamilton, a labourer. Maggie Maxwell was born in Scotland and she was a daughter of George Maxwell, a labourer.
The Hamilton family lived in the townland of Hogstown and later at 30 Moat Street, Donaghadee.
Robert Hamilton worked as a general labourer and he and Maggie had at least eleven children:
Eliza Jane (born 5 August 1887 in New Row, Donaghadee)
George (born 29 April 1891)
Hans (born 9 April 1893 in McConkey’s Court, Donaghadee)
Robert (born 13 January 1896 in Hogstown)
James (born 22 July 1898 in Hogstown)
Maggie Ann (born 8 January 1901 in Hogstown)
Mary (born 7 December 1903 in East Street, Donaghadee)
Sarah (born 7 October 1906; died 7 December 1907)
Ernest (born 25 November 1908 in East Street, Donaghadee)
Eadie or Essie (born February/March1911 – from 1911 census)
Essie (born 27 September 1912 in Moat Street, Donaghadee)
Hans and Robert Hamilton were baptised in Donaghadee Parish Church of Ireland Church.
Robert Hamilton worked as a general labourer before he enlisted on 15 November 1915 in Belfast.
Rifleman Robert Hamilton served with the 12th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles in 108th Brigade of the 36th (Ulster) Division and he was 22 when he was killed in action on 27 June 1918 during the German Spring Offensive that began in March.
Rifleman Robert Hamilton was buried in Bohain Military Cemetery by German forces (family sources believe that he had been held as a prisoner-of-war) and his body was later exhumed and reinterred in Premont British Cemetery in France.
Rifleman George Hamilton, Rifleman Hans Hamilton and Rifleman Robert Hamilton are all commemorated on Donaghadee and District War Memorial and in Donaghadee Parish Church of Ireland Church.