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The Boy Soldier
contributed by Michael Hall
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Colin Hamilton should not have been allowed to enlist. A mere slip of a lad at only 5 feet 4½ inches, weighing just 124 pounds and giving his occupation as “newsboy”, Hamilton was probably the youngest local to serve in the first AIF. He was born in Canberra in July 1900 and later lived in the Weetangera district at 'Springvale' where he attended the local school. His father had been a soldier and asked that his sons be taught sewing at school which Hamilton later stated that he found useful on the Western Front. His mother died in 1910, about the time that the family moved to Sydney. Hamilton lied about his age (and probably forged his father’s signature) to enlist at the age of 16 on 30 April 1917 in Sydney. He embarked from Sydney in May 1917 with reinforcements to the 30th Battalion but served with the 33rd Battalion from 5 February 1918. At the end of March the 33rd Battalion arrived at Villers-Bretonneux just south of which they halted the German advance at Lancer Wood and, a few days later, were part of the 9th Brigade defence of the town. On 17 April 1918, the 33rd Battalion garrisoned Villers-Bretonneux when the Germans bombarded the town and surrounds with about 12,000 rounds of mustard, sneezing and phosgene gas shells, sometimes at the rate of one every two seconds. The gas drenched the area and impregnated the clothes of soldiers, affecting men’s eyes and the sensitive areas of their bodies. Some 650 men became casualties, including Colin Hamilton (and Ted Grimes). His father was advised of his injury and whereabouts and AIF Headquarters in London were then ordered to send Hamilton home “for discharge under age”. Hamilton later served in World War II. He lived to be 92 years of age. |
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