Hamilton, David – Grave & Memorial

Celtic Graves \| Player Biog

Dalbeth Cemetery (2011)

On 22nd January 2011 a remembrance event was organised by the Celtic Grave Society (second in their series). A new headstone was laid and a well attended remembrance was well marked. Attendees included descendants of Davie Hamilton, Bobby Lennox and Jim Craig.

Honouring a Celtic legend

By: Paul Cuddihy on 27 Jan, 2011 09:08

from celticfc.net
THE mist hung low over St Peter’s Cemetery, Dalbeth as supporters made the short walk from the entrance gate to the graveside of a former Celtic player. It leant an appropriately sombre, almost eerie atmosphere to proceedings, although this was an occasion which, although serious, was also uplifting and inspiring.

The Celtic Graves Society had, last November, organised an event to mark the final resting place of Celtic great, Dan Doyle. Now, just two months later, the Celtic family gathered again, just yards from Doyle’s grave, to honour the memory of another legend of the club.

Davie Hamilton spent 10 years with Celtic, between 1902-12, during which time he made 260 appearances, scoring 60 goals. He also helped the club win and historic six league titles in a row.

And his final resting place was now being marked with a memorial stone.

What made this event different from the last one was that members of the Hamilton family, including Davie’s great-great grandson, were there for what was a poignant family occasion as well as a special Celtic one.

Jim Craig, patron of the Celtic Graves Society, attended the event, as did fellow Lisbon Lions, Bobby Lennox – one great left-winger there to acknowledge a great predecessor in that same position – while the club was represented by Tony Hamilton, Adrian Filby and Paul Cuddihy.

Monsignor Peter Smith of St Mary’s Church, Calton, conducted a blessing of the grave.

Speaking at the event, Brendan Sweeney of the Society said: “The Celtic family has gathered once again, this time to mark the grave of the great Davie Hamilton, the famous left winger from the first truly great Celtic team that won six titles in a row over 60 years before it was made fashionable by the late, great Jock Stein.

“As a family, the Celtic support may have its differences or fall-outs, but one thing we will do is we will remember our dead, we will cherish their memories and we will ensure their memory lives on and they will never be forgotten. It’s not just about marking a grave. It’s about keeping a name alive.

“There was only one thing missing from the Dan Doyle commemoration back in November and that was a representation of his surviving family. Today, we’re honoured to be in the presence of direct descendents of Davie Hamilton.

“It’s also very poignant for the family because, in the last few days, it’s been discovered that Davie’s wife, Mary Anne, also lies here. She died at the early age of 33 and Davie raised the five children.

“And the Hamilton family have been instrumental in working with us to ensure the grave is marked.

“Lying at rest in Dalbeth, the family can be assured that Davie is in great company with other Celtic greats such as Sandy McMahon, Jimmy McMenemy, Johnny Campbell and Dan Doyle. In total, in Dalbeth, there are around 30 ex-players and founding fathers of the club, as well as hundreds, if not thousands of the club’s early supporters.

“Other members of the Celtic family, namely the staff at Celtic Park, have been a fantastic support to the Society since our inception.

“Once again, Monsignor Smith of St Mary’s, the club’s birthplace, has given of his valuable time to be here and it’s greatly appreciated. Fostering the relationship between the club and the parish from where we were born should always remain on the club’s agenda.”

Speaking on behalf of the club, head of multi-media, Tony Hamilton, recalled attending the very first Celtic Graves Society event last summer in the United States, at the graveside of Charlie Gorevin, who had played in Celtic’s first ever game – the 5-2 victory over Rangers.

He said: “m very proud to be here representing the football club, along with Paul Cuddihy and Adrian Filby.

“The last time we were here – which was the last time we played Aberdeen as well, on November 6 – we were here for Dan Doyle, and Peter Lawwell spoke about this football club being more than a club and I think the work of the Celtic Graves Society is certainly testament to that.

“Everyone at Celtic supports the work of the Celtic Graves Society and we look forward to the continuance of this work.”

And Society patron Jim Craig said: “Davie Hamilton came up to Celtic Park in 1902. In those days, the job of the winger was to get to the byline and get the ball into the box for the Jimmy Quinns of this world to score the goals, but Davie Hamilton was also an individualist, and 60 goals in 260 appearances shows that he had an eye for goal as well.

“He was also a member of a very iconic Celtic forward line – Bennett, McMenemy, Quinn, Somers and Hamilton – and it’s perhaps appropriate that we have a member of another iconic forward line – Johnstone, Wallace, Chalmers, Auld and Lennox – here today in Bobby.

“Our thanks are due to the Celtic Graves Society for the work they’re putting in, in recognising the final resting places of these great players, and it’s also great to see members of the Hamilton family here today, and our thoughts are with you because you must be very proud of your ancestor.”

And Sean Hamilton, great-great grandson of Davie Hamilton, said: “I’d just like to thank everybody for coming along today. It’s a great day for the family and we’re immensely proud.

“To have somebody in the family who played a part in the early days of Celtic, played in that great forward line and was managed by Willie Maley is something that makes us all proud.

“Also, to have scored eight goals in 16 games is something we never tire of hearing.”

For more information on the great work of the Celtic Graves Society, go to www.celticgraves.com