Hans Hamilton, 2nd Baron HolmPatrick

Hans Wellesley Hamilton, 2nd Baron HolmPatrick, was born on August 8, 1886, at Abbotstown, Castleknock. He was the only son of Ion Hamilton, who was granted the peerage as Baron HolmPatrick in 1897. His paternal family had a history of political service; his grandfather James Hans Hamilton and great-grandfather Hans Hamilton served as Members of Parliament for County Dublin. His mother was Lady Victoria Alexandrina Wellesley, daughter of Major-General Lord Charles Wellesley, and granddaughter of the Duke of Wellington. Lady Victoria Wellesley was also the goddaughter of Queen Victoria.

For his education, Hamilton attended Eton College and subsequently trained at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. He inherited the title of Baron HolmPatrick in 1898 following the death of his father.

In a military career, he was commissioned into the 16th Lancers in 1906. He served as an adjutant from 1912 to 1914. During the First World War, Hamilton was wounded and achieved promotion to the rank of captain. He served as a brigade-major and was previously a captain in the Lancers. His service was recognized with multiple honors: he was mentioned in dispatches three times, awarded the Military Cross in the 1915 Birthday Honours, and received the Distinguished Service Order in the 1919 New Year Honours.

Beyond his military service, Hamilton held roles in civic and community organizations. He served as Deputy Lieutenant for County Dublin and was the provincial commissioner for Leinster in the Boy Scouts movement. He was awarded the Silver Wolf by the Scout Association in 1920. The 1st Dublin Scout Group, known as Lord Holmpatrick's Own, continues to operate and was named in his honor.

On October 27, 1925, Hamilton married Lady Edina Dorothy Hope Ainsworth (née Conyngham), who was the fourth daughter of Henry Conyngham, 4th Marquess Conyngham. The marriage took place three months after her divorce from her first husband, Sir Thomas Ainsworth, 2nd Baronet.

Hans Wellesley Hamilton died on September 5, 1942, at the family estate in Abbotstown, Castleknock. He was survived by his son, James Hans Hamilton, who succeeded as the third Baron HolmPatrick, and a daughter. Lady Edina HolmPatrick died in 1964.