Hamilton, Charles Daniel

Trooper Charles Daniel Hamilton

was born at Church Street, Dromore, Co. Down on 27th November 1881 to John Hamilton, Linen Manufacturers Clerk and Emily Hamilton nee Daniel. They were married on 27th February 1876 at Dromore.

Charles would have joined the Belfast Banking Company around 1900 and worked in Derry branch. His father, John signed the Bankers Guarantee giving his address as Dromore. Later, Donald Bruce Hamilton and Francis Roycroft Hamilton would join in the indemnity.

Belfast Bank, Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Belfast Bank, Londonderry branch

In 1901 Charles was boarding with the Black family in house 45, Bridge Street, Ballymena, Co. Antrim. His occupation is recorded as a Bankers Clerk. 

In 1901 the family were living in house 43, Princes Street, Dromore, Co. Down. Parents John and Emily, siblings Francis (22), Alice (20), Walter (16) and Bruce (14), boarders William Larmour and Alfred Davison. 

The Northern Whig of 30th November 1905 reports on Charles being transferred, on promotion, from Ballymoney branch to Crossmaglen branch.

Belfast Bank, Ballymoney branch

Belfast Bank, Crossmaglen branch

By 1911 Charles had moved to Strabane and was boarding with the Thompson family in house 1, Main Street, Strabane West, Co. Tyrone. He is described as a Bank Clerk. The home accommodated the father, 3 daughters, 3 boarders and 3 servants.

Belfast Bank, Strabane branch

John (father) died aged 63 on 13th September 1911 at Glencoe House, Dromore. He had been predeceased by his wife Emily who died aged 62 on 16th March 1909 at Glencoe House, Dromore. 

Charles initially enlisted at Lincoln, England on 10th December 1915 into the Inns of Court OTC with Service Number 82885 (?). 

Attestation Form dated 10th December 1915 

Further transfers took place throughout his army career:

• 14th April 1916 - 2nd/1st Battalion, Dorset Yeomanry (S/No. 2117 or 231152)
• 28th May 1917 - 3rd (Reserve) Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles (S/No. 11/326)
• dd/mm/ccyy - MT Section, Army Service Corps (S/No. 379804)
• 20th October 1918 - 21st Battalion, Tanks Corps (S/No. 317859) 

One of his Army Conduct Sheets record the following offences:

• 06/02/1917 - Failure to return off leave when ordered
• 03/08/1917 - Absent from tattoo

All of his military career was served at 'home' in the UK. He was 'Disembodied on Demobilisation' on 4th March 1919.

The Belfast Bank 'Roll of Honour' booklet records Charles as serving with the Dorset Yeomanry as a Trooper.

Belfast Bank - 'Roll of Honour' booklet

It is presumed that Charles re-joined the bank following his demobilisation.

On 25th November 1936, Charles applied for a duplicate discharge certificate and gave his address as 106 Birmingham Road, London, SE1. He mentions that he 'returned from America in July 1921'.

There are a few shipping passenger manifests on Ancestry that mention a Charles Hamilton, Accountant.

There is a death record on 1st January 1958 for a Charles Daniel Hamilton, 75 of 31 Denbigh Place, London SW1. This therefore gives his year of birth as 1883 (actual 27th November 1881). 

Bruce Hamilton

Charles' brother Bruce served in 'C' Company, 13th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles, Service Number 16568. He was a Sergeant and was killed in action at France and Flanders on 16th August 1917. He is commemorated on the Tyne Cot memorial.