Name
William Alfred Hill
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
11/07/1918
25
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Serjeant
12366
Hertfordshire Regiment
1st Bn.
'A' Coy.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ST. AMAND BRITISH CEMETERY
IV. A. 21.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hatfield Town Memorial, Hatfield In Memoriam Book, St Luke's Church Memorial, Bishops Hatfield, Hertfordshire Regimental Memorial, All Saints Church, Hertford, Not on the Potters Bar memorials
Pre War
Son of William Joseph and Annie Elizabeth Hill, later of 7 Union Lane Newtown Hatfield Herts., born c1894.
In the 1901 Census, William, aged 8, was living with his parents and two sisters in Union Lane, Hatfield. His father was a car man at the brewery. In 1911 the family were at Gun Cottages, Union Lane, Hatfield. William is working as a domestic gardener and his father a brewer’s drayman.
He enlisted in August 1914 as Private 12366, 6th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment.
Officially recorded as born in Potters Bar, Middx(*1) and was living in Hatfield when he enlisted in Bedford.
*1 some records suggest Little Heath, others Barnet.
Wartime Service
William entered France on 30th July 1915 and he took an important part in many battles including those on the Somme, and at Ypres, Arras and at Cambrai.
He was wounded and sent to hospital. On recovery he rejoined his unit in the field and was K.I.A. on July 11th 1918.
He obtained the rank of Lance Corporal, and at some point he transferred to the 1st Bn. Hertfordshire Regt. ‘A’. Coy. and promoted to Sergeant. and was entitled to the 14-15 Star, B.W.M, and Victory Medal and lived at 7 Union Lane, New Town, Hatfield. X1156/B
His Medal Card shows Beds & Herts Regiment(*2)
The Bishop’s Hatfield Parish Magazine December of 1915 published extracts from his letters from the front: “So sorry not to have written before, but I really haven’t had the time. We have been in the trenches again for six days, and I can tell you we had a very rough time of it, as it was raining every day, the water was up to our knees; it was a good job we had our top boots on, they come right up to our hips, or else we should have been in a bad state. The rain caused such a lot of damage to the trenches, parapets fell in, and when we were relived there were only a few dug-outs to live in. Our boys stood it very well and were in the best of sprits last night (Sunday) when they were marching back a mile or two for a few days rest. We had a fairly quiet time in the trenches in the way of fighting, we got a few “whiz-bangs” over at us, then of course they got a few of ours, “Iron Rations” as our boys call them, but that’s nothing worth speaking about. The nights out here now are very cold, but they have served us out with fur coats which make us feel more comfortable.” Lance-Corporal W. Hill 6th Beds."
The Bishop’s Hatfield Parish Magazine of August 1918, recorded: “Two more gallant sons of Hatfield have given their lives for their King and Country by the death of Sergeant William Hill 1st Herts. Regiment . . . . . Concerning Sergeant Hill, his Captain writes “it is my great regret to inform you of the death of your son. He died at 8.30pm on the evening of July 11th. He met his death through a machine gun bullet whilst attacking a boche post; he did not linger long and his end was painless. He was a splendid NCO beloved of all ranks and a brave solder, and met his death facing the enemy as becomes a solder”.
A Friend adds “He was liked very much by his pal’s and comrades. It is sad to lose one we loved so much, but I can assure you that you have the sympathy of all of us boys who are left”. . . . . . . . Sgt. Hill had seen 3 years service since last March.”
The Herts Advertiser dated 27th July 1918, reported: “Sgt. W A Hill.
Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Hill of 7 Union Lane, Hatfield, have received notification of the death of their only son, Sergt. Wm. Alfred Hill, Herts. Regt, who was wounded on July 10th and died the following day without regaining consciousness. From letters received from Capt Moore and from the Chaplain (Rev. A W Gibbs) it appears that Sergt. Hill received his wound from a machine gun bullet when on patrol. At the same time the officer in charge and several others were wounded. Capt Moore speaks of him as “A, N C O beloved of all ranks and a brave soldier who met his death facing the enemy, as becomes a soldier.” He was buried by his comrades, many of whom belonged to Hatfield. Sergt. Hill who was 25 years of age, was employed in the gardens of Colworth House, Charnbrook. He joined the 6th Beds in August 1914 and had seen three years’ service in France. He was wounded in April last and on returning to duty two months ago was transferred to the Herts. Regt. The occasion when he met his death was his first duty in the front line since convalescence.”
Awarded the 1915 Star, British War Medal & Victory Medal.
Additional Information
Hatfield Parish Council Souvenir Committee Ledger: Mrs Hill (Mother) of Union Lane, Hatfield received an “In Memoriam and Roll of Honour Album”.
*2 This man’s connection to the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment may be misleading. This combined regiment was not officially formed until 1919, but arguably the process began in May 1918 with the amalgamation of the remnants of Hertfordshire Regiment with those of the 6th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. When men died before 1919 it is likely that they were officially still in one or the other of the individual regiments. In the absence of other information we are recording them as related to Hertfordshire, rather than miss such a relationship.
Acknowledgments
Jonty Wild
