Ian Standish Monteith Hamilton Biography

Hamilton helps direct the British infantry attack that defeats the Boer force at Elandslaagte.

Hamilton leads British forces in the action at Doornkop during Roberts's advance toward Johannesburg.

Hamilton commands part of the British force attacking Boer positions east of Pretoria at Diamond Hill.

Leads mobile sweeps against Boer commandos.

Hamilton coordinates the wider British operations that bring Kemp's commandos against the prepared position at Rooiwal.

Appointed Commander in Chief, Home Defence Army in Britain

Appointed Commander in Chief, Home Defence Army in Britain

Appointed General

Hamilton approves a major August offensive combining ANZAC attacks, a Sari Bair advance and new landings at Suvla.

Commands the military forces at the Dardanelles

Appointed Commander of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force

Appointed Commander of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force

Hamilton develops simultaneous landings at Cape Helles and north of Gaba Tepe with a French diversion at Kum Kale.

Hamilton establishes headquarters and begins organising the multinational force for the peninsula invasion.

Hamilton identifies the Kilid Bahr plateau as essential for neutralising the forts covering the Narrows.

Hamilton is appointed to command the force being assembled for land operations at the Dardanelles.

Hamilton oversees final preparations as more than two hundred vessels assemble at Mudros for the invasion.

Hamilton delays the invasion from 23 to 25 April because rough weather disrupts the assault timetable.

Hamilton coordinates with naval commanders to allocate bombardment and transport support for the landings.

Celebrated as ANZAC day

Hamilton orders the Anzacs to hold their ground rather than abandon the beachhead on the first night.

Commands the 1st troop landings on Gallipoli with the 29th Div & Australian & NZ corps

Responsible for the Gallipoli front by leading the Mediterranean expeditionary force. Expects a 2 day advantage in which the Turks would be confused but is dissappointed. Celebrated as ANZAC day

Hamilton launches the main British landings on five beaches around Cape Helles.

Hamilton urges the Helles force forward before Ottoman reinforcements can consolidate.

Hamilton's first Helles offensive fails to break the Ottoman line despite heavy Allied casualties.

Hamilton transfers Australian and New Zealand infantry from ANZAC to reinforce a renewed attack at Helles.

Hamilton opens the second attempt to capture Krithia with strengthened British, French and ANZAC forces.

Hamilton halts the second Krithia offensive after heavy losses produce only a small advance.

Hamilton repeatedly requests additional divisions as the campaign becomes a prolonged struggle.

Hamilton employs Royal Naval Division battalions to reinforce overstretched sectors of the peninsula.

Hamilton's third Krithia offensive ends without capturing the village or breaking the Ottoman defence.

Hamilton launches the third major Allied attempt to capture Krithia and the heights of Achi Baba.

Hamilton receives additional formations for a new attempt to break the Gallipoli deadlock.

Hamilton adds a new landing at Suvla to support the planned breakout from Anzac.

Hamilton briefs Stopford on the proposed Suvla landing and the need to seize the Tekke Tepe and Kiretch Tepe high ground.

Reinforcements arrive when IX Corps land at Suvla

A 2nd failed attempt is made to land at Gallipoli

Hamilton becomes increasingly dissatisfied with the slow advance from the Suvla beachhead.

Hamilton observes that Ottoman reinforcements have reached Tekke Tepe before the delayed British advance can secure the ridge.

Hamilton meets Stopford again as he considers renewed attempts to seize the inland high ground after the Norfolk losses.

Hamilton removes Stopford after the Suvla force fails to exploit the surprise achieved by the landing.

Hamilton orders a major Suvla attack against Scimitar Hill and neighbouring positions.

Hamilton's August offensive ends without gaining the decisive heights or breaking the strategic deadlock.

Dismissed from his command after the failure of the Galliploi Campaign

Hamilton argues that withdrawing from Gallipoli could cause catastrophic casualties and damage British prestige.

The Dardanelles Committee decides to recall Hamilton, his last generals command

Hamilton is relieved of command as the British government reassesses the failed Gallipoli strategy.