Thomas Henry Hamilton was the son of Samuel and Jane Hamilton. Henry was born in Tyrone, probably Dungannon, about 1881. Henry was a carpenter. His father was a contractor. Trooper Henry ‘Harry’ Hamilton was serving with the Inniskilling Dragoons when he had a severe accident in France when he was crushed by falling horses in a disused trench. Trooper Hamilton was extricated, suffering from severe injuries to the head and legs. No CWGC details can be found currently.
Further Information
There is a Trooper Harry Hamilton, of the Inniskilling Dragoons, listed on Dungannon War Memorial.
It has not been possible to identify accurately this man. Below is the details of who we believe is the best possibility.
Thomas Henry Hamilton was the son of Samuel and Jane Hamilton. Henry was born in Tyrone, probably Dungannon, about 1881.
The 1901 census lists Henry as age 20 living with the family at house 30 in Perry Street, Dungannon, County Tyrone. Henry was a carpenter. His father was a contractor.
The 1911 census lists Thomas Henry Hamilton as age 30 living with the family at house 32 in Perry Street, Dungannon, Tyrone. He was a joiner.
Trooper Henry 'Harry' Hamilton was serving with the Inniskilling Dragoons when he had a severe accident in France in March 1915. While proceeding at a gallop, his horse fell into a disused trench, and before the other troopers could pull up; four of them, with their horses, crashed in on top of him.
It was with the utmost difficulty that Trooper Hamilton was extricated, suffering from severe injuries to the head and legs.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 27th November 1915: Corporal Doonan Meets Friends at the Front
Lance Corporal Fed J Doonan, of the 9th Tyrone Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, writing to his mother Mrs Doonan, Dungannon says:-
‘We have been moving about from village to village for the last month, and there are very few villages in the north of France but we have been in. I could fill pages regarding our life in France, but so much is happening here it would be impossible to say everything. We kept moving so quietly about that in a very short time we were up in the town next to the firing line. I have been to the reserve trenches with the Commanding Officer, Major, Adjutant, and am thankful to have got back safely. Our battalion was in the firing line for over three days experience previous to taking over our own line of trenches, and had only one casualty – Donnell of Derry. It was practically his own fault, as he had been told to keep his head down by his Company Officer, but he took another look and was instantaneously shot between the eyes. He was a very bright chap of nineteen. We are back for a rest and a good bit from the firing line. You would be surprised to see our poor lads coming out of the trenches after three days without sleep. They are covered in mud from head to foot. We keep our old motto – ‘Keep Smiling’.
Jack Johnston and George Hickey came to see me. It was very dark and I had to light a match to see who they were, and I nearly fell with surprise and delight. They both came through a lot of fighting and are now in a rest camp close to our battalion.
I also met ‘Major’ McBride and young Donaghy. I was carrying a despatch for the colonel and had to cycle a few miles along the road to headquarters, and in passing the 6th Dragoons, I was surprised to hear Randy McManus and Harry Hamilton calling after me. I also met a little chap called Joe, who was chauffeur in Major Howard’s. I got sll the letters, papers and parcels, which I enjoyed very much, especially the nuts, etc. I was surprised to hear of father joining, but he had been often talking about it. He has done his duty.’
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 28th March 1916:
Trooper Harry Hamilton, 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons, Service Squadron, a native of Dungannon, recently met with a severe riding accident in France, and is now in hospital suffering from severe injuries to the head and legs.
From the Tyrone Courier dated 30 March 1916:
Trooper Harry Hamilton, Inniskilling Dragoons, second son of Mr Samuel Hamilton, Perry Street, Dungannon, has met with a severe accident in France. While proceeding at a gallop, his horse fell into a disused trench, and before the other troopers could pull up; four of them, with their horses, crashed in on top of him. It was with the utmost difficulty that Trooper Hamilton was extricated, and he is now in hospital suffering from severe injuries to the head and legs.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 22nd April 1916:
Several Dungannon soldiers have been home during the week, including Pioneer William Hobson (Killylack), Royal Irish Rifles, and Trooper Harry Hamilton (Perry Street), Inniskilling Dragoons, the latter of whom it will be remembered met with a very severe accident at the front recently.
No CWGC details can be found currently.
NOTE: A second Harry Hamilton, Royal Field Artillery, has been discovered in a newspaper report from 1916. Stewartstown Shooting Club delivered parcels to various soldiers including Driver Harry Hamilton, Royal Field Artillery
