Naval Group to Commander James Kenneth Hamilton RN / MID WW2 and Korea

James Kenneth Hamilton was a career Naval Officer, joining as a cadet aged sixteen on 1st September 1933. He was from Darlington. 

 

As an Acting Sub Lieutenant, he served on HMS Isis, earning the NGS with bar Palestine 1939 - 1939.

 

Promoted to Lieutenant on 1st February 1939 with seniority backdated to 16th October 1938. Hamilton first served on broad the destroyer HMS Exmoor which was sunk on 25th February 1941. The Admiralty claimed the ship hit a mine, the German claimed  E- Boats had torpedoed Exmoor.

 

Hamilton was mentioned in despatches (4.7.1941) 'For Good service when HMS Exmoor was sunk'. He was given Command of HMS Cleveland on 29th January 1943, Cleveland was a destroyer and give cover for Operation Huskey and Operation Avalanche in the Mediteran Therate. On the 5th July 1943, Cleveland picked up 291 survivors of the British Merchant ship Devis which was torpedoed off Algeria. 

 

Immediately post-war, Hamilton was promoted to Acting Lieutenant Commander. During the Korea War, he served as Commander of HMS Unicorn, a light Aircraft Carrier which was used as a supply and support ship. 

 

Hamilton was Mentioned in Despatches (30.1.1950) ' For Distinguished service in Korean waters' 

 

After nearly twenty-seven years service, he retired with the rank of Captain on 29th January 1960. James passed away in Nottingham in 1999.

 

The group consists of NGSM, 1939/45 Star, Atlantic Star, Africa Star 43/43 bar, Italy Star, War Medal with MID, Queens Korea with MID, Nato Korea, 1953 Coronation Medal.

 

NGSM is correctly impressed = 1755 Lieut J K Hamilton RN ( slight edge bruise above surname, naming not affected)

Queens Korea is correctly impressed = CDR J K Hamilton RN

 

Court mounted for display 

Condition = GVF