Military service
Burial/memorial information
His real name is Allan Ritchie Patterson Hamilton and served as Richard Hamilton.
Son of James Hastwell Hamilton and Alice Catherine Beckingham of Eel River Crossing, Restigouche, New Brunswick.
On 31 May 1941, the Scottish Prince was undergoing repairs in the port of Alexandria, Egypt, when two sailors collapsed in the hold due to gas emanating from damaged tanks. Hamilton and Second Lieutenant Finlayson entered the hold attached to the end of a cable in an attempt to save their two comrades. The fumes killed the two rescuers, for which they were posthumously decorated.
Albert Medal <P>The London Gazette - The KING has been graciously pleased to make the posthumous award of the Decoration of the Albert Medal for Gallantry in Saving Life at Sea in recognition of the gallantry displayed by Second Officer Robert Allan Finlayson and Able Richard Hamilton in the following circumstances.<P>
Their vessel was in port undergoing repairs and two members of the crew were engaged in removing plugs from the bulkhead of the port deep tank, when both suddenly collapsed, having been overcome by unsuspected gas which had generated from damaged cargo in the hold. The Second Officer, Mr. Robert Allan Finlayson, observing the occurrence and realizing the immediate need for assistance, promptly fastened his shirt around his nose and mouth and, with Able Seaman Richard Hamilton, entered the tank with a rope in an attempt to save the two men. This brave action on the part of Second Officer Finlayson and Able Seaman Hamilton unfortunately cost them their lives. Mr. Finlayson was just able to make the rope fast around the body of one of the men before he himself collapsed and died. Able Seaman Hamilton, who had immediately followed him, did not reach the bottom of the tank but collapsed off the ladder when about half way down.
Although they must have known the very great risk they ran in entering the tank, Second Officer Finlayson and Able Seaman Hamilton completely disregarded their personal safety in their gallant endeavour to save the lives of their shipmates.
Digital gallery of Able Seaman Richard Hamilton
Digital gallery of
Able Seaman Richard Hamilton
Digital gallery of
Able Seaman Richard Hamilton
Digital gallery of
Able Seaman Richard Hamilton
Digital gallery of
Able Seaman Richard Hamilton
Digital gallery of
Able Seaman Richard Hamilton
Image gallery
In the Books of Remembrance
Commemorated on:
Page 148 of the Merchant Navy Book of Remembrance.
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ALEXANDRIA (CHATBY) BRITISH PROTESTANT CEMETERY Egypt
Chatby is a district on the eastern side of the city of Alexandria, between the main dual carriageway to Aboukir, known as Al Horaya, and the sea. This cemetery is located centrally within the main Alexandria cemetery complex, which is bordered by Al Horaya on the south and the electric tramway, which is parallel with Sharia Champollion on the North. Visitors can reach the entrance to the cemetery along the road Sharia Anubis, which lies centrally north/south through the cemetery area.
For more information, visit Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
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