Hamilton was born on 7 July 1899 in
Jarrahdale, Western Australia. He was educated at
Perth Boys' School and passed his junior certificate, but left school at a young age to work as a clerk, initially with a private business and later with the
Public Works Department. He began an apprenticeship as a
fitter at the
Midland Railway Workshops in 1915. In July 1917, Hamilton enlisted in the
Australian Imperial Force (AIF). He served as a
sapper with the 9th Field Company of the
Australian Engineers, leaving Australia in March 1918 and returning in July 1919. He attained the rank of
lance corporal. In May 1940, Hamilton enlisted in the
Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as an ordinary
aircraftman. He trained as an instructor at the
No. 1 Flying Training School RAAF in Victoria and was subsequently stationed in
Victor Harbor, South Australia, and
Geraldton, Western Australia. In 1942 he was transferred to the
No. 5 Aircraft Depot RAAF in
Wagga Wagga, New South Wales. He later spent time with
No. 23 Squadron RAAF and with
No. 82 Wing RAAF at
Balikpapan in the Dutch East Indies. He was discharged from the RAAF in November 1945 with the rank of
squadron leader. ==Politics==