Profile image
Military service
Service number:
J/21291
Age:
21
Rank:
Flying Officer
Force:
Air Force
Unit/Regiment:
Royal Canadian Air Force
Division:
419 Sqdn.
Birth:
December 26, 1921
Windsor, Ontario
Enlistment:
October 28, 1940
Hamilton, Ontario
Death:
October 4, 1943
Burial/memorial information
Grave reference:
20. B. 28.
Additional information
Son of Dewey John and Zelma Marion (née Rapley) of Windsor, Ontario. He was a student and single. He was the brother of Rapley Hamilton. He attended Prince Edward School from 1928 - 1935 and Walkerville Collegiate from 1935-1940. He was the financée of Margaret Meyer of The Manor, Weybridge, Surrey. He enjoyed football, hockey, swimming, track and building model planes.
Additional citations
1939-45 Star, Air Crew Europe Star, General Service Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp.
Digital gallery of Flying Officer William Harry Hamilton
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Cemetery
Entrance - Rheinberg War Cemetery - May 2015 Photo courtesy of Marg Liessens -
Cemetery
Rheinberg War Cemetery - May 2015 Photo courtesy of Marg Liessens -
Cemetery
Cross of Sacrifice - Rheinberg War Cemetery - May 2015 Photo courtesy of Marg Liessens -
Grave Marker
Grave marker - Rheinberg War Cemetery - May 2015 Photo courtesy of Marg Liessens -
Group Photo
The crew of Halifax JD 204, from 419 Sqdn RCAF, was lost 4 October 1943 on the crew's 15th mission. Takeoff was from Middleton St. George at 1740 Hrs, for target FRANKFURT. Expected return 01:26 Hrs October 5th. Hamilton, Dale, Griffin and Bortolussi were killed in the crash. Riley, McEwan, and Reay bailed out and were POW's. Hamilton is standing in the rear 2nd from the left beside his friend Jack Dale.<P> Source of information: Library & Archives Canada via R. Whitehouse<P> Source of photograph: Mr. Robert E. Dale via R. Whitehouse -
Group Photo
This picture of the Hamilton crew was taken in July/August of 1943 and sent home to their parents in Canada. The crew names have be digitally added. The four on the left; Bortolussi, Hamilton, Dale and Griffin are killed in the crash. The other three; Riley, Reay and McEwan all parachuted to safety and were POW. Source: Photo from the Dale Family Archives via R. Whitehouse Crew information Library & Archives Canada via R. Whitehouse -
Letter (October 28, 1943) Page 1
Page #1 Letter from the parents of the pilot Hamilton to the parents of the Bomb Aimer, the Dales. Source: Photo from the Dale Family Archives via R. Whitehouse Crew information Library & Archives Canada via R. Whitehouse -
Letter (October 28, 1943) Page 2
28 Oct 43 Letter Page #2 Letter from the parents of the pilot Hamilton to the parents of the Bomb Aimer, the Dales. Source: Photo from the Dale Family Archives via R. Whitehouse Crew information Library & Archives Canada via R. Whitehouse -
Letter (October 28, 1943) Page 3
28 Oct 43 Letter Page #3 Letter from the parents of the pilot Hamilton to the parents of the Bomb Aimer, the Dales. Source: Photo from the Dale Family Archives via R. Whitehouse Crew information Library & Archives Canada via R. Whitehouse -
Letter (October 28, 1943) Page 4
28 Oct 43 Letter Page #4 Letter from the parents of the pilot Hamilton to the parents of the Bomb Aimer, the Dales. Source: Photo from the Dale Family Archives via R. Whitehouse Crew information Library & Archives Canada via R. Whitehouse -
Letter (November 27, 1943) Page 1
27 Nov 43 Letter Page #1 Letter from the parents of the pilot Hamilton to the parents of the Bomb Aimer, the Dales. Source: Photo from the Dale Family Archives via R. Whitehouse Crew information Library & Archives Canada via R. Whitehouse -
Letter (November 27, 1943) Page 2
27 Nov 43 Letter Page #2 Letter from the parents of the pilot Hamilton to the parents of the Bomb Aimer, the Dales. Source: Photo from the Dale Family Archives via R. Whitehouse Crew information Library & Archives Canada via R. Whitehouse -
Letter (November 27, 1943) Page 3
27 Nov 43 Letter Page #3 Letter from the parents of the pilot Hamilton to the parents of the Bomb Aimer, the Dales. Source: Photo from the Dale Family Archives via R. Whitehouse Crew information Library & Archives Canada via R. Whitehouse -
Photo of William Harry Hamilton
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Newspaper clipping
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Document
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Newspaper clipping
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Newspaper clipping
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Photo of William Harry Hamilton
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Photo of William Harry Hamilton
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Photo of William Harry Hamilton
3rd from right in front row. Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Photo of William Harry Hamilton
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Photo of William Harry Hamilton
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Document
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Document
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Document
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Photo of William Harry Hamilton
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Photo of William Harry Hamilton
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Photo of William Harry Hamilton
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Photo of William Harry Hamilton
Bill in middle. Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Photo of William Harry Hamilton
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Memorial
Flying Officer William Harry Hamilton is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens -
Memorial
Flying Officer William Harry Hamilton is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens -
Memorial
Father J P Lardie's comments as inscribed on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
Digital gallery of
Flying Officer William Harry Hamilton
Digital gallery of
Flying Officer William Harry Hamilton
Digital gallery of
Flying Officer William Harry Hamilton
Digital gallery of
Flying Officer William Harry Hamilton
Digital gallery of
Flying Officer William Harry Hamilton
Digital gallery of
Flying Officer William Harry Hamilton
Digital gallery of
Flying Officer William Harry Hamilton
Digital gallery of
Flying Officer William Harry Hamilton
Digital gallery of
Flying Officer William Harry Hamilton
In the Books of Remembrance
Commemorated on:
Page 167 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance.
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