Temuka soldier died in heavy fighting on the Somme
Private Michael Hamilton, No 47328
Michael Hamilton was the son of Irish-born parents, John and Catherine (believed ne´e McIntyre) Hamilton, of John St, Temuka.
He was born on April 5, 1885 and baptised at Temuka.
Good fortune came Michael’s way in August 1902, when he won first prize in the art union held in connection with St Mary’s Church, Christchurch – the prize was a handsome oil painting valued at 30 guineas.
The following April this large painting of a mountain scene by a well-known artist was displayed in a Temuka shop window.
When Michael enlisted on April 20, 1917, he was working as a teamster for T Sugrue, Belfield.
His mother, Mrs John Hamilton, was recorded as his next-of-kin.
Later it was noted that she was deceased and the name was amended to Mr John Hamilton, father.
He said a will had been made and was held by Mrs P Hamilton, Temuka, who would have been the widow of his brother Patrick. No will was probated. He stated that one person (his father) was absolutely dependent on him.
Having embarked on June 9, six weeks into the trip, Michael was admitted to the Willochra’s hospital, with an infection, and on arrival in the United Kingdom he was admitted to Codford.
In November he was discharged to Sling and on discharge from there, in December he commenced his duty.
It was February 1918 when he proceeded overseas and joined a battalion at Rouen, in France.
The death of Private Michael Hamilton, 47328, Canterbury Infantry Regiment, 33 years, of Temuka, was reported in Casualty List No. 952, published in midSeptember – he had been killed in action on August 24, 1918, a victim of the heavy fighting on the Somme, France.
He was buried in Grevillers British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France, along with 150 other New Zealanders.
His medals were to be sent to his father but as the latter had died in 1920, the medals (the British War Medal and Victory Medal), plaque and scroll were sent to his brother, Joseph, who was possibly his only surviving sibling.
At the January 1919 meeting, the Mayor, on behalf of the Temuka Borough Council, moved a vote of condolence to the father and family (after it was incorrectly reported that a third son had been killed at the front).
The motion was carried in silence, with members standing.
His brother, John Hamilton, was killed in action in 1917; his youngest brother, Joseph Daniel Hamilton, also served and was wounded in World War I.
Michael Hamilton’s name is inscribed on the Timaru Memorial Wall, the Temuka RSA Roll of Honour, the Temuka War Memorial, and on the St Joseph’s Church, Temuka, Memorial.
The St Joseph’s Church, Temuka, memorial was unveiled after a memorial service on April 25, 1922.