john hamilton was born in england in 1919 and was educated at bradfield college. throughout world war ii, he served in the british army in india as a member of the queen’s royal regiment. as a junior officer at the age of 24, he received the military cross for gallantry during active operations against the enemy. following his army service, he began a business career and settled in 1961 on the island of tresco in the isles of scilly, cornwall, where he sketched and painted for relaxation. in 1972, after a bout with angina, he sold his business and began painting on a full-time basis.