Hamilton attended The Glasgow Academy and was a member of their Athletics Club, in addition to being a member of the Glasgow Harriers. He won the 1929 Scottish AAA Championship 220 yards title[2] and the following year he finished runner-up in the 100 and was unplaced in defending his 220 yards title at the 1930 Scottish AAA's.[3]
Leaving Scotland on the Anchor-Donaldson liner Audania, he arrived in Canada[4] as part of the Scottish Empire Games team[5] at the 1930 British Empire Games in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, where he participated in two events,[6] the 100 yards and the 220 yards.[7] At the time of the Games he was 23 years old and living at 49 Manse Road in Kilsyth and was a veterinary student by profession.[8]
Hamilton became a well-known athlete in Scotland during the 1930s and was also proficient as a golfer.[9]
