General Sir Ian Standish Monteith Hamilton

General Sir Ian Standish Monteith Hamilton (1851-1947)

General Sir Ian Standish Monteith Hamilton GCB GCMG DSO TD (16th January 1851 – 12th October 1947) was a general in the British Army, most notably known for commanding the ill-fated Mediterranean Expeditionary Force during the Battle of Gallipoli.

Hamilton's military career began in 1871 and he served in India and Africa. In South Africa he led the 7th Brigade, as an acting Major-General, in a most successful action at Elandslaagte. He was recommended a VC, but this time was seen as too senior for the award, however, luck was on his side politically, for first Roberts and then Kitchener took up a command in the field. As the war dragged on, Hamilton was made Kitchener's Chief of Staff after commanding various units up to a Division. He was knighted in 1902.

Kitchener appointed Hamilton to command the Allied expedition to gain control of the Dardanelles straits from Turkey and capture Istanbul.