Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Hill, a foreman moulder, born in the October quarter of 1843 in Louth, Lincolnshire and baptised on the 13th December 1843 in St. James’s Church, Louth (son of Thomas Hill and Ann Craggs) and his wife Eleanor (Ellen) Hill (nee Sewell, married in the October quarter of 1871 in Leicester), born in the July quarter of 1842 in Syston, Leicestershire and baptised on the 8th October 1842 in the Church of St. Peter & St. Paul, Syston (daughter of James Anthony Sewell, 1818-1848 and Elizabeth Adcock, 1820-1903). Henry, a schoolboy, was born in the April quarter of 1883 in Loughborough, Leicestershire and baptised on the 4th July 1883 in All Saint’s Church, Loughborough, his siblings were, Mary Ann Sewell, a hosiery trade winder, born in the July quarter of 1871 and baptised on the 1st December 1874 in St. Andrew’s Church, Leicester and Christiana Frances, a hosiery trade button holer, born in the October quarter of 1875 and baptised on the 4th July 1881 in All Saint’s Church, Loughborough, the latter two siblings were both born in Leicester, Elizabeth, a schoolgirl, born in the January quarter of 1878 in Coventry, Warwickshire and Caroline, a schoolgirl, born in the April quarter of 1881 in Loughborough and baptised on the 4th July 1881 in All Saint’s Church, Loughborough, in April 1891 the family home was at 33, Canal Bank, Bridge Street, All Saint’s, Loughborough. Henry’s father died, aged 50 years in the April quarter of 1892 in Loughborough. In March 1901 Henry was absent from the family home at 33, Canal Bank, Bridge Street, Loughborough, residing there was his widowed mother, a charwoman and his siblings, Elizabeth, a cotton trade winder and Caroline, a cotton trade winder. Henry married Emma Fallows on the 25th August 1906 in All Saint’s Church, Loughborough, Emma was born on the 8th August 1888 in Leicester (daughter of Harry Fallows, 1869 and Mary Laffar, 1868). In April 1911 Harry was employed a cinematograph exhibition labourer and was residing at 7, Holland Street, Loughborough, this being the family home of his widowed mother, a domestic laundress.
FAMILY NOTE: Henry also had another sibling, John Henry, born in the October quarter of 1873 in Leicester and baptised on the 1st December 1874 in St. Andrew’s Church, Leicester, and who died, aged 3 years in the January quarter of 1877 in Leicester.
He was born and officially registered at birth as Henry Hill, he also used the name of Harry and enlisted and served as John Henry Hill.
Henry enlisted/attested into the Army Reserve (Special Reservists) on the 7th August 1914 in Leicester, and was allotted the regimental service number 11480. He gave his place of birth as Loughborough and age as 32 years 172 days. His marital status was given as married and his trade or calling as stage -?-.
He confirmed that he had previously served with the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, discharged time expired.
His medical history was compiled during an examination that took place in Leicester on the 7th August 1914 and recorded his birthplace as Loughborough, Leicestershire, declared age as [not recorded], trade or occupation as [not recorded], that he was 5-feet 9½ inches in height, weighed 150 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 37 and 39 inches, his physical development was described as good, his vision was described as R.E.-V=6 L.E.-V=9. Enlisted at Leicester on the [not recorded]. Joined on enlistment 3rd Bn. Leicestershire Regt.
His description on enlistment recorded his height as 5-feet 9 inches, weight 140 lbs, chest measurement of between 37 and 39 inches, he had blue eyes and his hair colour was brown. The following distinctive marks were noted, [none recorded]. He gave his religion as Church of England.
He was certified as fit for the Army Reserve. Date 7th August 1914. Place Leicester.
He gave his next of kin as his wife, Emma Hill, 4, Chapel Square, Back Street, Nuneaton. 17, Derby Square, Loughborough.
The compilation of events that occurred during his period of military service are taken from the following sources: - Casualty Form – Active Service (B.103). Statement of the Services of. Military History Sheet.
Joined. At Leicester. 7/8/14.
Posted. To Depot Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 7/8/14.
Commenced. Recruits training. 7/8/14.
Posted. To 3rd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 12/8/14.
Appointed. Lance Corporal (paid). 12/8/14.
Posted. To 3rd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. 13/8/14.
Promoted. Corporal and appointed Acting Sergeant. 4/9/14.
Promoted. Sergeant. 9/11/14.
Posted. To 1st Bn. Leicestershire Regt. 9/11/14.
Posted. To 2nd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. 13/2/15.
Embarked. From Marseilles. 5/12/15.
Disembarked. At Basra. 31/12/15.
Re-joined. 2nd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. In the Field. 11/1/16.
Reported. Wounded in action. In the Field. 13/1/16.
Now reported. Killed in action. In the Field. Persian Gulf. 13/1/16.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 7/8/14 – 8/11/14. 94 days.
Expeditionary Force, France. 9/11/14 – 9/11/15. 1 year 1 day.
Expeditionary Force, Mediterranean. 10/11/15 – 13/1/16. 65 days.
Total Service. 1 year 160 days.
He was awarded the 1914 Star with Clasp & Rose, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
SERVICE RECORD NOTE: In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers’ documents for the First World War were destroyed. Those records which survived were mostly charred or water damaged and unfit for consultation and became known as the “burnt documents.” As a consequence, the content and condition of the surviving records can range from good to extremely poor. The hand written information is, in some instances barely legible, and the number of pages that should comprise a full record, in some cases are either badly damaged or missing entirely, however where possible the available information has been transcribed so that it may at least offer the reader a little descriptive insight into some, if not all of the events and background information surrounding the period of service.
On the 12th August 1916, John’s widow Emma, of 17, Derby Square, Loughborough, Leicestershire, was awarded a weekly Army Dependant’s Pension of eleven shillings, commensurate on the 21st August 1916.
The War Diary records: 13 Jan-16 - Patrols sent out at daybreak who reported small parties of enemy in the direction of the WADI RIVER. It was believed that the enemy were holding an advanced entrenched position with their left on the Fort. Orders were issued for the Battalion and the 56th (F.F.) RIFLES to drive back the enemy from the forward position and take up a line 800 yards or so beyond it to enable our artillery to shell the main position on the WADI RIVER. “C” and “D” Companies were in the firing line, “A” and “B” Companies in Reserve. The orders were carried out without encountering any opposition and the Battalion dug themselves in. At 1.27pm report on enemy’s position was forwarded to Brigade. At 2.17pm further report on enemy’s position forwarded. At 3.30pm the Battalion with the 56th (F.F.) RIFLES on their right resumed the advance with orders to attack and occupy enemy’s main position along the WADI RIVER, thereby assisting the turning movement being carried out by the rest of the VII Div. Formation of Battalion attack. Enemy opened fire at about 1100 yards range. The line continued steadily to advance until they got to within 450 yards of the enemy, by which time the Reserves (“A” and “B” Companies) had reinforced the firing line. Here a heavy fire was kept up on the enemy’s trenches which could now be seen extending along the whole length of the WADI. Ammunition was brought up and the Battalion prepared for the assault. (Time about 4.48pm). At this stage the right flank of the Battalion became subjected to enfilade machine gun and rifle fire. The assault was not carried out and the Battalion dug themselves in with both flanks thrown back. About this time Major LEWIS was wounded and the Battalion had suffered a loss of 3 other officers (Lieutenant A. E. DAKIN, 2nd Lieutenant R. W. G. CARD, 2nd Lieutenant T. C. D. HASSALL all wounded) and 197 other ranks. Captain WEIR now in command. At 5.30pm and 8.00pm messages were sent by orderly to 28th Brigade explaining the situation. As darkness set in the enemy’s fire developed into desultory sniping with occasional bursts of fire along different parts of the line. At about 11.00pm verbal orders arrived from Brigade for the Battalion to withdraw from its present position and take up a line 800 yards or so in rear in conjunction with the other units of the Brigade, with a view to our artillery preparation being carried out the next morning. This withdrawal was carried out with no casualties, by 2.30am, and the Battalion again dug themselves in.
On Wednesday February 23rd, 1916, The Leicester Daily Mercury published the following article on page 6, under the heading. – LOCAL CASUALTIES. – News has been received of the death in action of Sergeant J. H. SMITH (sic), 2nd Leicester’s, whose widow lives in Derby-square, Loughborough. Sergeant Smith was a reservist, and went through the South African War. he was formerly employed at the Loughborough Hippodrome, and afterwards at Nuneaton. He was killed on his birthday, January 13th, in the Persian Gulf, and was 34 years of age.
[recognitum VI-IV-MMXXIII]