Douglas Douglas-Hamilton, 14th Duke of Hamilton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Air Commodore His Grace
The Duke of Hamilton
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| Member of Parliament for East Renfrewshire |
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| In office 28 November 1930 – 16 March 1940 |
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| Preceded by | Alexander Munro MacRobert |
| Succeeded by | Sir Guy Lloyd |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 3 February 1903 London, England |
| Died | 30 March 1973 (aged 70) Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Political party | Unionist |
| Spouse | Lady Elizabeth Ivy Percy |
| Children | Angus Douglas-Hamilton, 15th Duke of Hamilton James Douglas-Hamilton, Baron Selkirk of Douglas Lord Hugh Douglas-Hamilton Lord Patrick Douglas-Hamilton Lord David Douglas-Hamilton |
| Parents | Alfred Douglas-Hamilton, 13th Duke of Hamilton Nina Poore |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Branch/service | Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1927–1936 1939–1945 |
| Rank | Air Commodore |
| Commands | No. 602 Squadron RAF, Air Training Corps |
| Battles/wars | Second World War |
| Awards | Air Force Cross Mentioned in Dispatches |
Air Commodore Douglas Douglas-Hamilton, 14th Duke of Hamilton, born on February 3, 1903, was a Scottish nobleman and a brave aviator. He is famous for being the first person to fly an airplane over the top of Mount Everest in 1933. He also served in the Royal Air Force and was a Member of Parliament.
A surprising event happened in May 1941 during World War II. Rudolf Hess, a high-ranking German official, landed in Scotland. He claimed to know the Duke of Hamilton. The Duke said he didn't know Hess well, even though they might have met at the Berlin Olympics. After an investigation, the Duke was officially cleared of any wrongdoing by the British Parliament.
Contents
Growing Up and Early Life
Douglas Douglas-Hamilton was born in Pimlico, London. His father was Alfred Douglas-Hamilton, 13th Duke of Hamilton. He went to famous schools like Eton College and Balliol College, Oxford. At Oxford, he was a talented boxer and won the Scottish Amateur Middleweight boxing title. He also rowed for his university.
Before he became the Duke of Hamilton in 1940, he was known as the Marquess of Clydesdale. He was a Member of Parliament for East Renfrewshire from 1930. He was part of the Unionist Party.
In 1935, he wanted to understand the lives of people working in his family's coal mines. So, he joined a Trades Union and worked for a time as a coal miner, simply calling himself 'Mr. Hamilton'.
Aviation Career and Everest Flight
Douglas Hamilton became very interested in flying when he was young. He joined the Royal Auxiliary Air Force (RAuxAF). He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a pilot officer in 1927 and a squadron leader by 1931. At 28, he was the youngest squadron leader of his time. He commanded the 602 (City of Glasgow) Squadron until 1936.
First Flight Over Mount Everest
One of his most amazing achievements was flying over Mount Everest. This daring flight was sponsored by Lucy, Lady Houston. In 1933, Lord Clydesdale, as he was known then, was the chief pilot for the Houston-Mount Everest Flight Expedition. He flew a Westland PV-3 biplane in a formation higher than anyone had flown before.
This expedition showed how important pressurized cabins would be for future aircraft. It was also the first time the Himalaya region was surveyed in detail for scientific purposes. This flight was so important that a documentary film, Wings over Everest, won an Oscar in 1934.
For his brave role in this expedition, he received the Air Force Cross in 1935. People saw him as a hero, much like how we see astronauts today. He left command of his squadron in 1936 and was promoted to wing commander.
World War II and the Hess Affair
In 1936, Douglas Hamilton attended the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany. He flew his own plane there. He was part of a group of British politicians invited to observe the games. While in Berlin, he met many German officials, including Adolf Hitler and Hermann Göring. Because of his interest in aviation, Göring invited him to see the newly rebuilt German air force, the Luftwaffe.
Hamilton said he didn't meet Rudolf Hess in Germany, though they were both at a dinner party. Some people wondered if they had met, as both were skilled pilots who loved aviation.
When World War II began in 1939, Douglas Hamilton returned to active service in the Royal Air Force. He was given the honorary rank of air commodore. He was in charge of air defense for his area of Scotland and Northern England. He also took command of the Air Training Corps.
The Hess Landing in Scotland
On May 10, 1941, Rudolf Hess, a very important German official, parachuted into Scotland. He claimed he wanted to meet the Duke of Hamilton to discuss a secret peace plan. Hess crash-landed near Eaglesham and was injured. He gave a false name but asked to see the Duke.
The Duke was told about the prisoner and went to visit him in the hospital. There, Hess revealed his true identity. The Duke immediately contacted Winston Churchill, the Prime Minister, to tell him about Hess's arrival. Hess was then held by the British authorities until the end of the war.
The press and public wondered if the Duke of Hamilton had been in contact with Hess before. Questions were even asked in the British Parliament. On May 22, 1941, Sir Archibald Sinclair, the head of the Air Force, made a statement. He said that the Duke did not recognize Hess at first and had never been in contact with him before. He confirmed that the Duke's actions were "honourable and proper" in every way.
Remembering Sir Harry Lauder
In 1950, the Duke led the funeral procession for his friend, the famous Scottish entertainer Harry Lauder. He gave a speech, calling Lauder "a Great Scot."
Important Roles and Positions
As a Member of Parliament, he was a Privy Counsellor. This is a group of important advisors to the King or Queen.
He held several other important positions:
- He was Lord Steward of the Household from 1940 to 1964. This is a senior role in the Royal Household.
- He was the Chancellor of the University of St Andrews from 1948 to 1973.
- He became a Knight of the Order of the Thistle in 1951, which is a very high honor in Scotland.
- He was a member of the Royal Company of Archers, who are the King's bodyguard in Scotland.
- He served four times as Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.
- He was honorary president of the Boys' Brigade from 1963.
- He was president of the Air League from 1959 to 1968.
He also held several business positions, including:
- Director of Scottish Aviation Ltd.
- Deputy governor of the British Linen Bank.
- Chairman of Nationwide Building Society (Scotland).
Family Life
In 1937, Douglas Hamilton married Lady Elizabeth Ivy Percy. She was the daughter of the 8th Duke of Northumberland. They had five sons:
- Angus Douglas-Hamilton, 15th Duke of Hamilton (born 1938, died 2010)
- Lord James Alexander Douglas-Hamilton (born 1942)
- Lord Hugh Malcolm Douglas-Hamilton (born 1946, died 1995)
- Lord Patrick George Douglas-Hamilton (born 1950)
- Lord David Stephen Douglas-Hamilton (born 1952, died 2020)
Images for kids
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Wreckage of Hess' plane, Eaglesham, Scotland
See also
- George Douglas-Hamilton, 10th Earl of Selkirk (1906–1994)
- Lord Malcolm Douglas-Hamilton (1909–1964)
- Lord David Douglas-Hamilton (1912–1944)
