The first is Private John Hamilton who was born in Orange on January 4. 1896. His birth registration number is 6091. He was only 18 when he enlisted in September 1914. His regimental number was only 943, a very early enlistment. 

Private Hamilton served in D Company Third Battalion First Brigade Australian Imperial Force, winning his Victoria Cross during the Battle of Lone Pine. His was one of seven awarded at Lone Pine. Only nine Victoria Crosses were awarded to Australians for the whole of the Gallipoli campaign.

Private Hamilton also served in the Second World War as a lieutenant in the Third Pioneer Battalion and later in the Fifth Australian Works Company and was promoted to captain on October 21, 1944.

Hamilton’s attestation shows he was born in Penthurst but this is a mistake.

While I am aware early efforts had been made to honour him they were rejected on sectarian grounds and shortage of money. I hope Orange can rise above this bigotry.

While Orange and the nation has honoured Sir Nevile Howse VC who was Director General of Medical Services AIF, mayor of Orange, politician (and minister in the federal cabinet), it should be remembered he was not born in Orange or even Australia.

Howse has many memorials and he is honoured in Orange by way of a park, a road, a sporting facility, prizes and other recognitions. A postage stamp has been issued as part of a set showing Victoria Cross winners.

It would be wrong of me to denigrate Howse’s CV but it should be noted that if a doctor did the same thing today that won Howse his VC that officer could be charged with deserting his post.

A recent request to have Hamilton recognised has been dismissed out of hand by the city council and the public without any discussion. 

The only note I could find for Hamilton’s honour has a reference to have the Northern Distributor named “John Hamilton VC Way” and an article in the CWD provided by the library. 

A plaque is in place in the Penthurst RSL club and the Third Battalion Royal New South Wales Regiment’s mess. 

The London Gazette of October 15, 1915 records Hamilton’s citation (in part) “that he exposed himself to heavy fire on the parades”.

This is a very exposed position and is behind the trench. The palisade is in front of the trench, which provides more protection than the parades. 

The other name is Captain (later Colonel) Alfred Spencer Heathcote VC who lived in Orange and his house was in McLachlan Street. He regarded Orange as his home. 

Captain Heathcote won his Victoria Cross aged 25 while serving with the 60th Kings Royal Rifles at the Siege of Delhi. 

Moving to Australia he commanded the First Queensland Cavalry Corps. 

There were seven VC awarded to members of the 60th KRR.

Heathcote died on February 21, 1915 (maybe 1913). 

I believe Orange must honour both these men in this most significant year in a way that would be a lasting memorial to the two undoubtedly brave men.

Orange must be the only town/city in Australia, if not the Commonwealth of nations, that has not paid a public and permanent tribute to all their Victoria Cross winners. What a disgrace! 

Will Hawke,

Byng