Tale of brave soldier to feature in book

Andrew Gibson • Published 16 Mar 2010 12:00

The heroic actions of a Dumbarton-born soldier who was awarded the Victoria Cross (VC) have been revealed in a new book.

While under intense enemy fire John Brown Hamilton showed incredible bravery as he ran alongside trenches throwing ammunition to his band of brothers.

The soldier, who was just 21, knew if he had not taken action and distributed the much-needed bullets, they would have died.

Writer Duncan Brown was so touched by John's courage that he has included the story in his first book 'My Hero, My Soldier Laddie'.

It features the incredible stories of 14 soldiers, including John, who have been awarded the highest military decoration.

John's moments of incredible bravery took place during a fierce First World War battle at the strategically important location of Ypres-Menin in Belgium in 1917.

Duncan, 59, who published his book thanks to financial backing from the Renton Community Development Trust (RCDT), describes the story of the heroic Son of the Rock.

He said: "What a brilliant man - he ran up and down the line.

"Men were getting shot to pieces and they ran out of ammunition.

"He threw ammunition into the trenches for all his mates and even though he was in full view of the German snipers, they couldn't get him all day.

"John took it upon himself - he knew there was no way out of this if they didn't have ammunition."

John later achieved the rank of sergeant, and remained an active reserve and Territorial Army member.

He died at the age of 77.

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This article appeared in Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter 16 Mar 10

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