Private 45725 Walter Hill

Killed in Action on Saturday, 5th January 1918, age 36.
Buried in Grave II. D. 7. at Jeancourt Communal Cemetery Extension, Aisne, France.

3rd (King's Own) Hussars. 4th Cavalry Brigade of 2nd Cavalry Division.
Formerly 55830 3rd Hussars.

Husband of Mrs Walter Hill, of 214 Birmingham Road, Burnt Tree, Tipton, Staffs.
Born: Burton-on-Trent, Enlisted: Birmingham, Resident: Tipton.

First landed France & Flanders, 18th August 1914.
Medal entitlement: 1914 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Soldier's Papers at National Archives did not survive.

Not commemorated on any Tipton memorial.
Commemorated here because identified as Tipton on 'Soldiers Died in the Great War'.

Link to Commonwealth War Graves Site: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/236657/

Genealogical Data

Birth of Walter Hill registered September quarter 1881 in Burton.

1901 Census
11 Jackson Street, Oldbury, Staffs.
John Hill (43, Plumber, born Ashbourne, Derbyshire), and his wife Agnes (41, born Branston, Staffs).
No sign of Walter - possibly serving in the army in South Africa.

1911 Census
56 Tividale Road, Tipton, Staffs.
John Hill (53, Plumber, born Ashbourne, Derbyshire), his wife Agnes (52, born Branston, Staffs), and 2 of their 4 surviving children of 11: Walter (32, Tram Conductor, born Burton-upon-Trent), and George (25, Tram Conductor, born Burton-upon-Trent).

Marriage of Walter Hill and Lillian M. Davies registered March quarter 1914 in Dudley.

Personal Data

Walter Hill attested with the 3rd (Militia) Battalion, South Staffordshire regiment, on 17th October 1899; he had already served in the 1st Volunteer Battalion, Worcestershire regiment. He stated that he had previously been rejected due to his eyesight. He lived at 48 Thompson Road, Langley Green, presumably with his father Mr J W Hill. Walter was 18 years and 3 months old, 5 feet 5 inches tall, weighed 132 pounds and had a 34½ inch chest measurement. He had hazel eyes, black hair, a fresh complexion and had a scar on the front of his right forearm. He was employed as an apprentice plumber, and his religion was Church of England.

Walter's South Staffordshire (Militia) attestation papers show a period of service of 49 days, as he served in the Boer War this likely means that he resigned from the Militia to join the Regular Army. As Walter landed in France on 18th August 1914, he was either still a regular soldier, or a reservist called up at the outbreak of war.

After Walter's death, his outstanding army pay and allowances amounted to £8/14/4d (8 pounds, 14 shillings and 4 pence), this was paid to his widow, Lillian, in April 1918. His War Gratuity was £20/0/0d (20 pounds exactly), this was also paid to Lillian in November 1919. The value of the War Gratuity confirms that Walter was serving from August 1914.

Walter's widow, Lillian Maud, was awarded a Widow's Pension of £0/13/9d (13 shillings and 9 pence) per week, effective from 22nd July 1918. A grant of £5 had been paid on 29th January 1918. Lillian's address at this time was 214 Birmingham Road, Burnt Tree, Tipton. Lillian’s pension was increased to £1/9/1d (1 pound, 9 shillings and 1 penny) from 6th August 1920. This increased pension was only paid for 2 years, as Lillian died in June quarter 1922 at the age of 36 years.

Action resulting in his death

A company of the 3rd Hussars had been converted to ‘dismounted’ and served as infantry. This company had been involved in the latter stages of the Battle of Cambrai, and served with some distinction in Bourlon Wood in late November 1917.

Their War Diary entry of 18th December 1917 says: “3rd Hussars Dismounted Company to join the 4th Dismounted Brigade for duty in trenches at Villeret.” Villeret is about 15 miles south of Cambrai, and about a mile to the west of Bellicourt on the Hindenburg Line, so famously taken by the 46th (North Midlands) Division on 29th September 1918.

This area of trenches, just to the east of Villeret, was considered quiet at that time. Although the opposing trenches were fairly close together, it was seen as an easy posting. Despite this view, there was still shelling, and Walter Hill was killed by a high explosive shell which landed in the trench where he was stationed. Walter is buried in Jeancourt Communal Cemetery Extension.

Newspaper Cuttings

Tipton Herald 26th January 1918
ROLL OF HONOUR.
HILL: Killed in action in France, January 6th 1918, Private Walter Hill. Deeply mourned by his sorrowing wife and sadly missed by all who knew him. Till we meet at Jesu's feet.
also
THANKS.
Mrs Walter Hill, 214 Birmingham Road, Burnt Tree, thanks all kind friends for their sympathy in her sad bereavement.

Tipton Herald 9th February 1918
FORMER TRAM CONDUCTOR KILLED IN TRENCHES.
A GALLANT SOLDIER AND A GOOD COMRADE.
A large circle of friends will sincerely regret to hear of the death of Private W. Hill, who fought through the South African War, and before that was a conductor on the Dudley and Handsworth tram cars. Information has now been received that he was killed in the trenches. The following letter from the officer commanding the squadron of Hussars to which Private W. Hill belonged explains the sad circumstances:- "Dear Madam, I much regret to have to inform you of the death of your husband, Private W. Hill. I have only just got your address, or I would have written sooner. He was killed in the trenches. A high-explosive shell burst alongside him, and he must have died instantaneously. I cannot speak too highly of your husband, he was one of those keen soldiers who was always to the front whether in the field of battle, or at play. He was liked by his officers, and most popular with his fellows. He was a gallant soldier, a good comrade, and he has died for his country. Killed in action, I can say no more than that for I know of no higher praise."