B64061 Pte Hamilton, Robert Lorne, nickname “Slim”, enlisted with the Queen’s Own Rifles in Toronto then transferred to the 48th Highlanders, joining the 1st Battalion in England. Pte Hamilton was taken on strength of the 1st Battalion 48th Highlanders on 10 August 1943. Pte Hamilton had travelled from Scotland in the “slow convoy’ which carried equipment, personal effects of the Highlanders in the 1st Battalion and support staff. The battalion had landed at Pachino, Sicily on 10 July and went out of battle on 6 August. Hamilton arrived at the battalion who were at rest at Carcaci on the Simeto River. However, finding that the Simeto was home to the malaria mosquito the battalion moved on 12 August to Militello, an arid and hot piece of northern Sicily.

In an entry in July 1944 he, with other members of the battalion, was awarded the 1939-1943 Star. The record shows him in A Company. He was qualified ‘Driver mechanic – “C”.

Page 442 of our regimental history “Dileas” gives an account of a patrol on 18 December 1944 on the advance to Ortona, in which a Pte Hamilton is mentioned. Of the 6 “Hamilton” Highlanders in our records, Robert Hamilton seems the most likely as he was in Able company.

“Colonel Johnston suggested a split of the patrol into two groups, The one on the left was led by Sjt. Vic Jackson, who had Cpl. Red Edmiston and Pte Hamilton with him. Sgt Jackson led the way down and forward, but there was at once too much evidence of the enemy. A machine-gun opened up on them – then another. Before they had made 200 yards down the open slope, the Germans were so close the three patrollers were in a deadly trap. There was no real cover – just enough to let them get their bodies below ground level. ‘Every time we moved a finger were pelted with lead’. But rescue was coming. Twenty minutes later a Sherman appeared on the lip of the ravine. The Sherman at once began slamming shells at the Spandaus.  ‘If you think a man can’t fall in love with a tank, you’re crazy. Her name was Lulu Belle.’ “(Sgt Jackson)

Hamilton is next recorded on 4 September 1945 as the battalion left Holland for the UK as the first step on the way home to Canada.

The dates of entry indicate that Pte Robert Hamilton was in battles the entire length of Italy and then in March/April 1945 in Holland for the liberation of the city of Apeldoorn. The detailed service records will be required for full confirmation.

NOK: Mrs. S. Hamilton of RR#3, Dundalk Ontario.