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Death of Ex-Lord Cornet James Hamilton
Tributes Paid to Ex-Lord Cornet Jimmy Hamilton
Jimmy Hamilton, a much-respected, popular and well-liked Ex-Lord Cornet, has died suddenly at the age of 68.
Appointed as Lanark's Standard Bearer in 1974, Jimmy was a staunch upholder of the town's customs and traditions, and was well-known throughout the Borders.
His love of Lanark and Lanimers was matched by his love of horses, and from an early age he managed to ride during the June spectacular.
Several years ago he received an award for 50 years of riding in Lanimers, a tradition he maintained until this year. His proud record was only broken by recuperation from an operation, although even then he still managed to take part in the Lanimer Day procession, albeit aboard a horse-drawn carriage.
His funeral service is in St Nicholas Parish Church, Lanark, at 9am on Friday and thereafter to Holytown Crematorium.
Lanark & Carluke Advertiser
Thursday, 8th December 2005
Tribute to Jimmy Hamilton
Ex Lord Cornet Jimmy Hamilton died on Monday, December 5 aged only 68.
His sudden death caused huge outpourings of genuine grief. I have never seen
so many people - especially men - in tears. What was it about Jimmy Hamilton
that produced such a reaction?
Like most Lanarkians I have always been aware of Jimmy Hamilton. He was Lord Comet in 1974, but had been a larger than life character long before that. His high spirits on horseback added much fun and excitement to many a Lanimer Procession.
I got to know Jimmy Hamilton in 1987 when I was selected as Lord Cornet Elect. In those days the Police gave the "first three" riding tuition and a horse, but it was Jimmy Hamilton who taught you to ride. He accepted me and thus began a long and valued friendship, I also gained an insight into what made Jimmy a remarkable man.
My first surprise was discovering what a fine teacher he was! He was an experienced horseman who had spent much of his National Service caring for the Officers' horses at Sandhurst. He was a fine huntsman and undertook all the Border Common Rides. But experience and skill doesn't always make you a good teacher. Horror stories of riding lessons abound, but with Jimmy the whole approach was fun and enjoyment, never bullying or patronisation. He must have had hundreds of pupils into whom he crammed vast amounts of knowledge using humour and encouragement. His riding school catered for everyone - children and adults, super fit to the disabled, all extended well beyond what they could ever have imagined. Jimmy had the ability to gain the trust and confidence of all, and Lanark riders soon became known and respected throughout the Borders, thanks to Jimmy.
My next discovery was the depth of his love for the Royal Burgh of Lanark and its traditions, A proud Lanarkian, he did all he could to keep alive all that makes Lanark special. He instilled that in others, especially new Lord Cornets.
I also found it incredible the number of people Jimmy Hamilton knew! As Lord Cornet that year I was the centre of some attention, but only a fraction of the attention Jimmy Hamilton attracted! lt was the same when we visited other Border towns. Jimmy seemed to recognise, and be recognised by nearly everybody. At his funeral the number of representatives from other border towns shows how highly he was regarded. Jimmy gained their respect because of his skill as a rider, his enthusiasm for the "kindred spirit" that exists in the Borders, and of course for his ready wit and infectious laugh. Jimmy always enjoyed himself and his hosts loved him for it!
I realised later on how Jimmy achieved some of this. He had the gift to be able to talk with anyone, especially strangers! He was equally at home with children or old people, with VIPs or people with very little. He could always find something in common and engage in deep conversation. This ability to relate to everyone made him everyone's friend. Yet the friendships he formed were never superficial. He cared for everyone he knew. He was a ready visitor to the old and sometimes forgotten, and his kindness and generosity was experienced by many.
This huge knowledge of people gave rise to one of his irritating habits. If I came across an old Lanimer film or video lasting about 30 minutes, it would often take at least two hours to show it to Jimmy. Every other minute the tape would be paused to allow him to explain who was in the crowd, where they used to stay and who they married!
His contribution to Lanimers was outstanding. In addition to being Lord Comet in 1974, he was also the Club President. He was a very successful Horse Convener and responsible for many improvements to the equestrian side of events. He served on the Sports Committee and later assisted at Castlebank, at the Lanimer Procession and was to serve this time round on the Lord Comets Selection Committee. In October he was elevated to the status of an Emeritus Member. He rode in every Lanimers for nearly 60 years!
So why are we sad and upset? That would be the last thing he would have wanted.
I am sad because I have lost a great friend. I will miss his endless wind-ups, our endless debates about the town, the council, the Cornets Club, religion and hundreds of other topics, raised every Monday night.
I will miss riding out with him early in the morning or during the long summer nights. I will miss his friendship, his hospitality and his endless support. Jimmy Hamilton will never be replaced or reinvented. Yet my sadness is outweighed by my many fond memories.
A favourite pastime for many years was to reminisce. He would raise a topic like "Do you mind when Jim Alexander managed to get the One O'clock procession lost?". Within minutes the saga would be recalled amid great hilarity! These memories cannot be taken away, and for many years we will have great fun recalling them.
Jimmy leaves behind David, Carol, Alan and Jenette along with grandchildren he adored. He also leaves behind a huge number of friends and admirers who will miss him greatly. Most importantly of all he leaves us with rich and happy memories and a smile on our face as we remember someone rather special. That is exactly what he would have wanted!
LEONARD GRAY
Lanark Gazette
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Town's Tribute to Lord Cornet
There was a very large turnout for last Friday's funeral of popular Lanark Lord Cornet Jimmy Hamilton.
Family and friends were joined in St Nicholas Parish Church by members of the Lord Cornets Club. Lanark Lanimer Committee. Guildry of Lanark. Strathclyde Police and representatives from Common Riding towns across the Borders.
Mr Hamilton died in hospital following a stroke. He was 67.
Born in Lesmahagow but brought up in Lanark his first appearance in Lanimers. at an early age, was riding a donkey - a sign of things to come.
Throughout his life Jimmy had a love of horses and several years ago was
presented with a special award by the Lord Cornets Club to mark 50 years of
non-stop riding in the Lanimers. In fact, 2005 was the first year he had not
actually ridden, having been prevented from doing so because he was
recovering from an operation. However, he went ahead and hired a landeau for
the "walking wounded" and took part in the procession that way. He is
pictured (right) with his trademark cheery laugh along with long-time friend
Jim Alexander (left) who paid a special tribute to Jimmy during Friday's
service.
Although Jimmy Hamilton was renown for his love and expertise with horses he was equally well-known for his humour and mischievousness, and was often blamed for leading some of his fellow Lord Cornets "astray!"
A former BB in the town Jimmy served his time as a slater with Glaister in Lanark, before joining the local regiment, The Cameronians, for National Service. He "graduated" as top cadet from Winston Barracks before landing a dream job, looking after the officers' horses at Sandhurst, where he made his mark. Many years later one of Jimmy's fellow Lord Cornets met by chance one of the army's leading officers, a major-general. On hearing he was from Lanark the Major-General asked him: "And how is Hamilton. A fine fellow. Tell him I was asking after him."
On leaving the army Jimmy Hamilton maintained his link with horses, moving to work with them at an estate at Mauchline, Ayrshire.
He eventually returned to Lanark, and established his own slaters business. But his love of horses persisted and he established his own riding school at Old Brigend, over the years leaching many to ride, including Lord Cornets and Outriders.
Jimmy Hamilton had the ability to talk to and get on well with people of all ages, from the very young to the elderly and he was never too busy to give those in need support and assistance. He was also a strong supporter of Riding for the Disabled. He was chosen as Lanark's Lord Cornet in 1974, the last to be picked the traditional way by the Town Council of the Royal Burgh. He was proud of this distinction, but also used it to "wind up" newer Lord Cornets, telling them they weren't "real" Standard Bearers for the town.
Jimmy Hamilton is survived by sons Allan and David, daughter Carol; his partner Janette, and his sisters Nancy and Margaret.
GEORGE TOPP
Lanark & Carluke Advertiser
Thursday, 15th December 2005