Name
Frederick William Hill
Conflict
Second World War
Date of Death / Age
17/09/1942
30
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Sub-Lieutenant
Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
H.M. Trawler Waterfly
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
LOWESTOFT NAVAL MEMORIAL
Panel 8, Column 1.
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
NA
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Boys’ Grammar School Memorial (WW2)
Biography
He was an outstanding pupil at the Hitchin Grammar School which he attended from 1924-1930. He was keen on tennis, a talented musician and in his final year was senior prefect and Editor of the School Chronicle. He passed the Oxford School Certificate and the Oxford Higher School Certificate with a distinction in geography. He left to take employment with the London County Council.
He joined the Royal Navy in 1940 and was later Mentioned in Despatches, the certificate reading "As Executive Officer of H.M.S. Sarpedon and later of H.M.S. Waterfly, Sub-Lieut Hill showed outstanding courage and zeal under frequent and heavy air attacks, and he set an example of whole-hearted devotion to duty which was in full accord with the high tradition of the Royal Navy".
The Sarpedon II was built in 1916 and was a 344 ton trawler with one 12 pounder gun. From January 1942 to July 1945 it was used as a minesweeper.
The Waterfly (ex Walpole) was built in 1931 and was a 387 ton trawler hired as a minesweeper from September 1939 until the 17th September 1942 when it was attacked from the air and sunk off Dungeness.
He did not return from this operation and was presumed killed in the incident.
He has no known grave and is remembered on Panel 8 Column 1 of the Lowestoft Memorial to the Missing of the Royal Naval Patrol Service.
He was married and his wife's name was Peggy and he was the only son of Samuel Charles and Clara Jane Hill of 65, Bearton Road, Hitchin later of Croxley Green.
Acknowledgments
David C Baines – ‘Hitchin’s Century of Sacrifice’, Hitchin Grammar School Chronicle, Hitchin Grammar School Registers, National Maritime Museum Records at Greenwich, Herts & Beds Express dated 26th Sep 1942
