Biography of Sir Ian Standish Monteith Hamilton

Major General Sir Ian Standish Monteith Hamilton was conferred an honorary LLD by the University of Glasgow in celebration of the University's ninth jubilee on 13 June 1901. He was a distinguished and highly decorated military General in the British Army, most noted for being Commander in Chief of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Forces at Gallipoli in 1915.

Hamilton was born in Corfu, son of Colonel Christian Monteith Hamilton, former commander of the 92nd Highlanders. He began his military career in 1873, and went on to serve in numerous campaigns in India, Afghanistan, Burma and Africa. In 1887 in Calcutta Cathedral, Hamilton married Jean Miller Muir, daughter of a Glasgow businessman Sir John Muir.

Hamilton was later appointed Lord Kitchener's Chief of Staff during the South African War of 1899-1902, for which he was given a knighthood in 1902.

Subsequently he was made Commander in Chief of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, leading the forces at the Battle of Gallipoli to seize control of the Dardanelles Straits and capture Constantinople in 1915. The campaign ended in failure, and Hamilton was recalled to London on 16 October 1915, putting an end to his military career. This despite his successor also recognising the futility of the campaign.

Hamilton was appointed Lieutenant of the Tower from 1918 to 1920. Retiring from the Army in 1920, he published a two volume diary of his wartime experiences, Gallipoli Diary.

Until his death in 1947, Hamilton served as President of the British Legion in Scotland, 1935-1947, and President of the South African War Veterans' Association, 1932-1947.

Summary

Sir Ian Standish Monteith Hamilton
Born 16 January 1853.
Died 12 October 1947.
University Link: Honorary Graduate
GU Degree: LLD, 1901;
Occupation categories: military
Record last updated: 18th Feb 2014

University Connections

University Roles

• Honorary Graduate