Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Joseph Henry Hillyer, a pork butcher, born in the 3rd quarter of 1871 in Leicester and his wife Elizabeth Ellen (Helena) Hillyer (nee Vernon, married in the 4th quarter of 1891 in the Leicester district), born in the 4th quarter of 1871 in Nuneaton, Warwickshire and was baptised on the 11th August 1872 in St. Nicholas’s Church, Nuneaton. Frank was born in the 1st quarter of 1897 in Leicester and was baptised on the 9th August 1909 in St. George’s Church, Leicester, he had one siblings, Albert, born in the 4th quarter of 1898 in Leicester, and was baptised on the 9th August 1909 in St. George’s Church, Leicester, in March 1901 the family home was at 136, Wharf Street, Leicester. In April 1911 Frank was employed as a clerk and was residing in the family home at 136, Wharf Street, Leicester, together with his father, a pork butcher, his mother and siblings, Albert, a schoolboy, Ernest, a schoolboy, born in the 3rd quarter of 1901, and was baptised on the 9th August 1909 in St. George’s Church, Leicester, Mabel, a schoolgirl, was born in the 1st quarter of 1904, and baptised on the 8th August 1909 in St. George’s Church, Leicester and Elizabeth Agnes, born 1909, and baptised on the 8th August 1909 in St. George’s Church, Leicester, all his siblings were born in Leicester. Frank also had two younger sisters, Edna May, born on the 4th June 1912 and Kathleen Ellen, born on the 21st February 1915 in Leicester, and baptised on the 24th March 1915 in Christ Church, Leicester, both sisters were born in Leicester.
Frank enlisted into the Territorial Force on the 13th December 1912 in Leicester, and was allocated the service number 327. He gave his place of birth as St. George’s, Leicester and age as 17 years and 1 month. Marital status as unmarried and his trade or calling as Metal worker.
His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 8 inches in height had a chest measurement of between 32½ and 34½ inches, his physical development was described as good.
He gave his next of kin as his father Joseph Henry, mother Nelly, brothers, Albert and Ernest, sisters Edna, Agnes and Mabel, of 136, Wharf Street, Leicester.
During his period of military service the following events of note occurred:-
Leicester Royal Horse Artillery. Attested. Gunner. 13/12/12.
Frank enlisted into the Regular Army on the 14th May 1914 in Leicester, and was allocated the service number 77264. He gave his place of birth as St. Paul’s, Leicester and age as 18 years and 164 days. Marital status as unmarried and his trade or calling as Salesman P. Shop.
He confirmed that he had not previously served in the Forces.
His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 7¾ inches in height, weighed 126 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 33½ and 35½ inches, his complexion was described as fresh, hair colour was brown and he had blue eyes, he had the following distinctive marks, scar on the left cheek, he gave his religion as Church of England..
He gave his next of kin as his father Joseph Henry Hillyer, mother Nellie Hillyer, brother Albert Hillyer, 27, Bow Street, Leicester.
During his period of military service the following events of note occurred:-
Royal Horse Artillery. Depot. Attested and Posted. Gunner. 14/5/14.
Joined. At Woolwich. 18/5/14.
Passed Test “C” at Woolwich. 19/5/14
Passed 3rd Class Certificate at Woolwich. 5/6/14.
Passed 2nd Class Certificate at Woolwich. 3/7/14.
Royal Horse Artillery. 3rd Reserve Brigade. Posted. Gunner. 10/9/14.
Base Details. Posted. Gunner. 31/3/15.
Royal Horse Artillery. Expeditionary Force. Posted. Gunner. 1/4/15.
Joined. 1st Independent Brigade. Divisional Ammunition Column. In the Field. 8/4/15.
To “Q” Battery. In the Field. 13/4/15.
Rejoined Unit. From “Q” Battery. In the Field. 22/6/15.
Admitted. Hospital. 11/2/16.
Admitted. 2nd Canadian General Hospital, Le Treport. 12/2/16.
Admitted. 9th Stationary Hospital, Havre. 13/2/16
Discharged. No.1 Camp Base Details. Posted. Gunner. 9/3/16.
Admitted. 9th Stationary Hospital, Havre. 2/4/16.
Admitted. 9th Stationary Hospital. 9/4/16.
Discharged. Havre. 17/4/16.
Rejoined. From Base. 1st Independent Brigade. Ammunition Column. In the Field. 10/5/16.
Admitted. 43rd Casualty Clearing Station. Pneumonia. In the Field. 13/5/16.
Admitted No.2 General Hospital, Havre. Pneumonia. 18/5/16.
Invalided to England. Hospital Ship Panama. Pneumonia. 20/5/16.
Royal Horse Artillery. Depot. Posted. Gunner. 21/5/16.
“B” Reserve Brigade. Royal Horse Artillery. Woolwich. Posted. Gunner. 14/7/16.
Discharged. Physically unfit. Para, 392 (XVI) King’s Regulations. Gunner. 26/10/17.
Summary of Service:
Home British. 14/5/14 – 31/3/15. 322 days.
France. 1/4/15 – 20/5/16. 1 year 50 days.
Home. 21/5/16 – 26/10/17. 1 year 159 days.
Total Service 3 years 166 days.
He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Frank’s surviving service record amounts to a total of 16 pages, and these are in good condition and offer an accurate overall description of events that took place during his period of his military service.
It will be noted that Frank enlisted into the Territorial Force on the 13th December, 1912, his records show that nothing appears to have actively occurred after his enlistment.
Upon his enlistment into the Regular Army on the 14th May 1914, no mention is made by Frank regarding his Territorial Force service, in fact he answers the questions put to him relating to having had previous service with clear “no” responses, furthermore, although born and baptised in the Parish of St. George in Leicester, on his attestation he claims to have been born in the Parish of St. Paul’s in Leicester.