Gordon Hamilton

Recruited from the Myer’s department store team, Gordon Hamilton was a promising centreman who managed two senior appearances for South Melbourne late in the 1940 season. He played both his matches as the 19th man, debuting in a tight loss to Hawthorn at Glenferrie Oval before contributing to a win over Geelong a week later. Hamilton’s career was tragically cut short when he enlisted in the Royal Australian Navy shortly after the season concluded. In February 1941, while stationed at HMAS Cerberus, the 20-year-old drowned at Chelsea beach after entering rough surf to rescue a struggling swimmer, sacrificing his own life to save hers. He is remembered as the first South Melbourne player to die on active service during the Second World War.