Hamilton, Rowan Witherow

Captain Rowan Witherow Hamilton OBE

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Hamilton was born in Manchester around 1923 to Thomas W Hamilton, Linen business and Mrs Hamilton.

Following his education at Burnage Grammar School, Manchester. He was on holiday in Ballynahinch staying with his uncle, Dr R A Hamilton when war broke out. Through his uncle, Hamilton joined the bank on 25th January 1940 and started in the Letter Department in Head Office in Waring Street, Belfast with a starting salary of £100 pa.

In April 1941, Hamilton volunteered and enlisted into the North Irish Horse at Portrush. he went to Sandhurst in 1942 and won the 'Belt of Honour' before being commissioned into the Royal Armoured Corps. His Service Number was 243525. He was then posted to a tank regiment and served in North Africa and Italy. He was Mentioned in Despatches during the fighting which breached the Rimini-Pisa Line. When the war ended he went to Brigade and subsequently Division Headquarters as a Staff Officer, and was granted honorary rank as Captain on demobilisation.

Family members have sent this research on Hamilton's war record (with many thanks for reaching out):

He was in the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment in 1944 in Italy for the attack on the Gothic Line.

He was in the 8th Battalion, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment which was converted into the 145th Regiment Royal Armoured Corps. The 145th Regiment RAC was part of the 21st Army Tank Brigade which was part of the Canadian 1 Corp for the attack on the Gothic Line ( a German defensive line in Northern Italy) which was part of the British 8th Army (of Desert Rats fame).

16th August 1944

“The main plan was to capture Ginestreto (south of Rimini) which was to be used as the forming up place for the attack on the Gothic Line.”

As the Edmontons attacked they met stiff resistance. One tank was hit and three of the crew were wounded and taken prisoner.

"At 2000 hrs the Edmontons, supported by three tanks, commanded by Lieuts. Douse, Mackenzie and Hamilton, put in another attack - this time successfully - and Capt Grieve, L/Cpl Taylor and Tpr Johnson were released from captivity and sent back to hospital.”

20th September 1944

“C Squadron moved forward to support both the Loyal Edmontons and the Seaforths for the final attack on the San Fortunato feature. At first light the squadron was lined up in the sunken road that led to the summit. Three enemy self propelled guns, probably “Tigers”, were reported, and the squadron had already come under fire. The enemy put up very stiff resistance, and put down heavy fire from weapons of every calibre. The Squadron Commander was severely wounded when he pushed forward in order to try to locate some enemy tanks holding up the advance. Lieut. Hamilton assumed command of C Squadron. Progress was again slow. Bitter fighting took place and Lieut. Hamilton did extremely well to retain control of the situation. Reports came in from various sources stating that enemy tanks were very busy. Eventually one “Tiger” was knocked out single handed by a Seaforth infantryman.”

Assuming Rowan remained in command of C Squadron:

19th October 1944

“C Squadron supported the Nova Scotia Regiment (3rd Canadian Infantry Brigade) in a skirmish on the outskirts of Cesena. One tank was hit, but no casualties were suffered. The following morning this small town was taken by the Loyal Edmonton Regiment with troops of B and C Squadron in support.”

21st October 1944

Part of a small force that probed enemy lines by performing short advances every few days. They moved to approximately 10 miles south of Ravenna. The enemy in the area of the airfield had become active and C Squadron fired on them.
Enemy artillery were active and firing on the Royal Canadian Dragoons. C Squadron fired on them.

23rd October 1944

Assisted in recovering an abandoned German Panther tank in working order and returning it to be repaired and used as a reserve tank if needed.

The 145th Regiment was disbanded in Dec 1944/Jan 1945, so I am assuming Rowan then left the army.

I haven’t been able to track down exactly what action he was involved in to be ‘Mentioned In Despatches”. It is most likely to be either, or both, of the first two actions.

Lieutenant R W Hamilton - MID Certificate

Following demobilisation in December 1946, Hamilton returned to the bank. He recorded his transfers as Corn Market (1959 - Ledger Clerk), Head Office (1960 - Controller's Assistant), Head Office (1961 - Chairman's Secretary), Head Office (1962 - Interim Manager), Crumlin Road (19xx - Manager), O'Connell Street, Dublin (1966 - Manager), Head Office (1967 - Controller), Head Office (1969 - Director of Branch Banking) and Head Office (1972 - Chief Executive).

Hamilton retired in 1982 as Chief Executive. He is recorded on many pages of 'The Ulster Bank Story' by Lyn Gallagher.

As Chief Executive, Hamilton also signed a series of Ulster Bank notes.