George Hamilton (South Australian police)

For the contemporary, unrelated, South Australian engineer, see George Ernest Hamilton.

George Hamilton (12 March 1812 – 2 August 1883) was a senior police officer in the Colony of South Australia.

History

The first steeplechase in South Australia, 25 September 1846 painted by George Hamilton

Hamilton came from an old Herefordshire family[1] and as a youth served as midshipman in the Royal Navy. He emigrated first to Victoria, and came to South Australia on 1 October 1839 accompanying a shipment of cattle from Port Phillip. In 1842 he accepted a position as clerk with the Public Service, then with the Bullion Office.[2]

On 1 December 1853 he joined the South Australian Mounted Police with the rank of Inspector, at the invitation of Alexander Tolmer, who around the time had been demoted from Commissioner of Police to Chief Inspector.[3]

Around 1860 he was appointed Chief Inspector and acted in the position of Commissioner on occasion,[4] then succeeded Major Peter Warburton, who had been asked to resign, as Commissioner on 14 November 1867, and Inspector William Searcy was promoted to Chief Inspector.[5] Hamilton was a noted horseman, and placed great importance on mounted constabulary during his time as Commissioner, which made a career with the police an attractive choice for bright adventurous young men. He was a stern disciplinarian and developed the police force into a well-drilled and efficient service. He never failed to punish infractions or give credit for good work.[1]

In 1881 he took one year's leave of absence prior to resignation, and was replaced by W. J. Peterswald.[6] From the day he first set foot in Australia he never left the country.

He was closely associated with the vice-regal staff, acing as aide-de-camp on occasion[7] and at the time of his death was serving as extra aide-de-camp of Sir William Robinson.

Other interests

He was something of an authority on art, and a keen amateur artist. In 1883 he purchased, for £2,000, William Strutt's painting "Black Thursday" for permanent loan to the South Australian Art Gallery. It is now held by the State Library of Victoria. He was foremost in the foundation of the Adelaide Club.[2] He was an active member of the Acclimatization and Zoological Society.[1]

Family

He was a brother of Major-General H. M. Hamilton, CB, Dr. Hamilton, of London, and Colonel Dugdale Hamilton. He never married and in later years lived at the Adelaide Club.[8]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "The Late Mr. George Hamilton". South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900) (Adelaide, SA: National Library of Australia). 4 August 1883. p. 6. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Death of Mr. George Hamilton". The South Australian Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1858 - 1889) (Adelaide, SA: National Library of Australia). 4 August 1883. p. 4. Retrieved 15 August 2014.Where the Register's obituary is mostly laudatory, this article damns with faint praise.
  3. ↑ "Presentation to Commissioner Hamilton". South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900) (Adelaide, SA: National Library of Australia). 8 July 1881. p. 2 Supplement: Supplement to the South Australian Register. Retrieved 15 August 2014. An indignant response to Hamilton's criticisms.
  4. ↑ "Funeral of the Late Inspector Pettinger". South Australian Weekly Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1858 - 1867) (Adelaide, SA: National Library of Australia). 8 February 1862. p. 2. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  5. ↑ "Commissioner of Police". South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900) (Adelaide, SA: National Library of Australia). 14 February 1867. p. 2. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  6. ↑ "Commissioner Hamilton and the Police". South Australian Weekly Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1881 - 1889) (Adelaide, SA: National Library of Australia). 9 July 1881. p. 5. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  7. ↑ "Levee at Government House". South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900) (Adelaide, SA: National Library of Australia). 27 May 1863. p. 3. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  8. ↑ "Funeral of the late George Hamilton". South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900) (Adelaide, SA: National Library of Australia). 6 August 1883. p. 5. Retrieved 15 August 2014.