Name
William Alfred Hill
22 Apr 1893
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
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ST. AMAND BRITISH CEMETERY
IV. A. 21.
France
Headstone Inscription
PEACE PERFECT PEACE
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
William Alfred Hill was born on 22 Apr 1893 in North Mimms (baptised 18 Jun 1893),the only son of William Joseph Hill , labourer, and Annie Elizabeth (nee Burgess), later of 7 Union Lane Newtown Hatfield Herts.
On the 1891 Census the family of parents and Eleanor Ann (born 1891) were living at Dixon’s Hall, Pancake Hill Road, North Mimms.
On the 1901 Census, William, aged 8, was living with his parents, Nellie (Eleanor A) and Dorothy May (born 1898) in Union Lane, Hatfield. His father was a car man at the brewery. On the 1911 Census the family were living at Gun Cottages, Union Lane, Hatfield. William is working as a domestic gardener and his father a brewer’s drayman.
Wartime Service
William enlisted in Aug 1914 as Private 12366, Bedfordshire Regiment. Following his training he was posted to 6th (Service) Battalion. Officially recorded as born in Potters Bar, Middx (*1) and was living at 7 Union Lane, New Town, Hatfield when he enlisted in Bedford.
William went to France on 30 Jul 1915 with his Battalion as part of 37 Division and he took an important part in many battles including those of the Somme, and at 3rd Ypres, Arras and at Cambrai. He was wounded in April 1918 and sent to hospital. On recovery he rejoined his unit in the field. On 20 May 1918 700 men of the 6th Battalion (William among them) transferred to 1st Battalion Hertfordshire Regiment joining ‘A’ Company, probably being promoted to Serjeant. William died on 11 Jul 1918.
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.”
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £21 10s and arrears of £5 17s 8d was paid to his mother. Hatfield Parish Council Souvenir Committee Ledger: Mrs Hill (Mother) of Union Lane, Hatfield received an “In Memoriam and Roll of Honour Album”.
*1 some records suggest Little Heath, others Barnet.
*2 his Medal Card shows Beds & Herts Regiment) 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
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild
