Lieut.-Colonel Russel Ernest HAMILTON, T.D.

Commanded the 7th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment from March 1961 to March 1964.

Lieut.-Colonel Hamilton enlisted into the Territorial Army with the 4th Battalion Cheshire Regiment (T.A.) on the 3rd April 1939, and went to France with that Battalion as part of the B.E.F. on the 8th January 1940. He was wounded in action and evacuated through Dunkirk.

He was commissioned to the 7th Battalion The Cheshire Regiment on 13th September 1941, and served with that Battalion in India, Iran, Iraq, Palestine and Egypt during the period 1941-42. In 1943 he took part in the Sicily, Italy and Anzio beach-head landings. He was promoted Captain in January 1945, and took part in the North West Europe Campaign as Company Commander of a M.M.G. Company of 7th Battalion The Cheshire Regiment.

He was promoted Major on 14th April 1949, and first posted to 7th Battalion The Worcestershire Regiment (T.A.) on 1st December 1952, as officer commanding "S" Company at The Shrubbery, Kidderminster. He commanded No. 4 Guard on the presentation of new Colours to the 7th Battalion by H.R.H. The Princess Royal on 16th April, 1955.

He was promoted Lieut.-Colonel and appointed Commanding Officer of the 7th Battalion The Worcestershire Regiment (T.A.) in succession to Lieut.-Colonel E. R. W. Tooby on 17th April 1961. Highlights during his tenure of command were the Presentation of the Freedom of Entry of The Regiment to the County Borough of Dudley in April 1961, and to the Borough of Oldbury in September 1963, at both of which ceremonies the 7th Battalion, under his command, played a prominent part.

Lieut.-Colonel R. E. Hamilton

He was awarded the Territorial Decoration in July 1953, the first clasp in May 1958, the second clasp in September 1963, and was made a Brevet Colonel, in recognition of his services as Commanding Officer, on 16th March, 1964.

Following his retirement from the T.A., he devoted much of his time to parish administration duties and Covenant schemes, firstly at St. Mary's RC Church Harborne, Birmingham and later St. Peter's RC Church in Bude. He was made an affiliate Member of the Order of St. Augustine and awarded the Benemerenti for his services to the Church.

Colonel Hamilton died on the 15th March 2005, age 88.

 

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