Douglas-Hamilton was educated at Foster's Naval Preparatory School, and latterly at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst.

Having been commissioned into the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders in 1884, he served in the Sudan, Gibraltar, Malta, South Africa, North China, and India, attaining the rank of major by 1901.

Recalled, and promoted to a temporary Lieutenant-Colonelcy in the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders Reserve of Officers, British Army, commanding the 6th Battalion, the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

It was due to his bravery, and splendid leadership that the line at this point was able to check the enemy's advance.

[1] His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Regimental Museum of Queen's Own Highlanders (Seaforth and Camerons), Fort George, Inverness-shire, Scotland.