Gilbert and Hugh Hamilton

Gilbert Hamilton, killed on 18th July 1916 at the Somme, was born at Townhead in Cumnock on 6th Septemeber 1887 to Gilbert Hamilton and his wife Elizabeth Gibson.

In 1891 the family was living in a cottage in Ayr Road.

Gilbert Hamilton             46 coal miner

Elizabeth Hamilton             35

Elizabeth Hamilton             14

John Hamilton             11

Janet Hamilton             9

Margaret Hamilton             6

Peter Hamilton             5

Gilbert Hamilton             3

Hugh Hamilton             1

In 1901 young Gilbert was a farm servant along with his older brother John at Knockterra (near Garrallan).
while his brother Hugh was visiting at Newfield Farm
and his parents were at Humeston Cottage

Gilbert Hamilton             50

Elizabeth Hamilton             45

Margaret Hamilton             16

Peter Hamilton             15

Jane Hamilton             9

Agnes Hamilton             7

David Hamilton             3

Crawford Hamilton             2 daughter

Gilbert married Elizabeth Bryce* in 1914. His address was 46 Garrallan Row, He was a coal miner. Elizabeth was the daughter of John Bryce and Margaret Munsie.

He enlisted  in the Cameron Highlanders and was a private with the 5th Battalion when he was killed at the Somme on the 18th July 1916. He is remembered on the Cumnock War Memorial and on the Thiepval Memorial in  France.  CWGC

*Elizabeth was a cousin of David Bryce also killed at the Somme two weeks earlier

His younger brother Hugh Hamilton is also on Cumnock War Memorial and in the same regiment.

Hugh, Mary and baby Gilbert

Hugh's enlistment papers survive.

His address was Holmhead, occupation coal miner

His wife was Mary Scott to whom he was married at Lugar on 31 Dec 1913

They had a son Gilbert born 31 Jan 1914 at 67 Townhead St. (named after the baby's grandfather) and a daughter Jane Scott Hamilton born in 1918.  It's likely Hugh never got to see his daughter.

He had previously been wounded on 13 Mar 1918 when he was "badly gassed and as a result loss both sight and speech" but was making "a good recovery." (Cumnock Chronicle)

His widow received a pension of 23/5 (I think, it's very faint) for herself and two children. She signed for his war medal and victory medal on 9 Sep 1921 at Holmhead.

He died on 25th October 1918 and is buried in Harlebeke New British Cemetery in Belgium.
CWGC

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