Aldershot Military Cemetery 4
IF STONE COULD TALK……………..
Buried on the top of slope, where the majority of all the
First World War burials, is the grave of Henry Hills.
Henry Hills a was Victorian Librarian for 28 years as the inscription
is written on his headstone.
This blog will look at the brief history of the Military
Library based in Aldershot and the family of Henry Hills.
Aldershot Military Library, Knollys Road, Aldershot is a Grade
II building, and today it provides information on current military topics,
political subjects and international relations in support of operations, intelligence,
training and education in the Armed Forces.
It also provides education of the British Army soldiers.
The history of the Aldershot Military Library dates back to
1859-1860, when construction was paid personally by Prince Albert. The building designs were drawn by Captain
Francis Fowke and was built by George Myers.
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| Francis Fowke |
Irish born Francis Fowke, was a British engineer and
architect, studied at the Royal School Dungannon, and the Royal Military Academy,
Woolwich. He obtained a commission ranked
as a Captain with the Royal Engineers and served with distinction in Bermuda
and Paris. On his return to England, he
appointed as architect and was in charge of the construction of several
government buildings, including the original main entrance of the Victoria and
Albert Museum, London, Royal Albert Hall, and Royal Museum, Edinburgh.
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| George Myers |
George Myers builder is best remembered for his work with
architect and designer Augustus Pugin, whom he met during 1827. During 1837, commissioned Myers and his
business partner Richard Wilson, to build St. Mary’s Catholic church, Derby.
After Pugin moved to London, Myers followed. He worked on Pugin’s’ commissions of
Newcastle, Birmingham, Nottingham and Southwark cathedrals.
Not only did Myers build the Aldershot Military Library, he
also built for Prince Albert, the Royal Pavilion, 1855.
Aldershot Military Library was built using yellow bricks
also with red bricks dressing. There was
also ridge stack encased in weatherboard lower section, a rear gable stack and
a slate roof. Above the recessed
three-bay entrance, is round arched windows, and above that is Prince Albert’s
own coat of arms. The Prince also paid
for its furnishings, maintenance, and the planting of trees and shrubs. The price of the whole building cost £4,183
3s and 4d.
Having been established and endowed by Prince Albert, had
also provided the library, with 1,000 books of his own collection.
After the death of Prince Consort, during 1861, who paid for
the day-to-day running of the library. The
costs wee from the Privy Purse, when Queen Victoria made it known that she
wished to continue with the interest of the library. She also paid the salary of the first librarian,
Sergeant Charles Gilmore and after he retired paid for his pension.
Today, Prince Albert’s portrait hangs proudly in library.
264 Edward Street, Aldershot at the time of the 1881 Census,
was the residents of the Hill family.
Henry the head of the family who was born Mildenhall, Suffolk, aged 45
and his occupation is listed as a Chelsea Pensioner Government Store. His wife,
Ann, aged 38. Living in the house is 9
children, along with a 7-year-old nephew, Charles.
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| British Census 3rd April 1881 264 Edward Street, Aldershot |
By the time of the 1911 Census, Henry aged 76 and wife Ann
are living 40 Queens Road, Aldershot.
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| British Census 2nd April 1911 40 Queens Road, Aldershot |
What about the lives of the 9 children?
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| The Midwives Roll 1915 |
Annie M. S. Hills, born at Shorncliffe, Kent aged 16 at the
time of the 1881 Census, where she is listed as a Dressmaker. Annie was married during 1884, to Edward Woolley. At the time of the 1911 Census Annie Margaret
Stirling Woolley, is living with her family at 64 St. George’s Road, Regents
Park, London. Her occupation now is
listed Credited Midwife. This qualification that she gained during 1906. She died during 1947.
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| British Census 2nd April 1911 64 St. George's Road, Regents Park, London |
Ellen E. Hills, also born at Shorncliffe, Kent aged 15 at
the time of the 1881 Census. By the time
of the 1911, Ellen still unmarried is living at 19 Langdale Road, Thornton
Heath and is listed as Nurse. She died
during 1942.
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| British Census 2nd April 1911 19 Langdale Road, Thornton Heath |
Henry R. Hills born in Ireland, aged 13 at the time of the
1881 Census. He is listed as a
Scholar. At the time outbreak of the
First World War, Henry Robertson Hills, as enlisted with the Special Reserve,
Army Ordnance Corps. At the time of his
enlistment, he has a wife, Alexandra Thompson, who he married 1894. He has four children, Edward Davidson Hills,
born 1900, Alexandra Gertrude Hills, born 1903, Andrew George Robertson Hills,
born 1904 and Gladys Linda Hills born 1907.
Henry died 1930.
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| Telephone Directory 1924 |
Arthur W. Hills born in Ireland, aged 11 at the time of the 1881
Census. He is also listed as a Scholar. During 1915, Arthur William is a member of
the Farnborough and North Camp Lodge, Freemasons and his occupation is listed
as a Foreman of Works. Next Arthur is
listed in the 1924 Telephone Directory for Camphill Chiddingstone eseway.
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| England and Wales Register 1939 |
By the
1939 England and Wales Register, Arthur is resident at 30 Highview Road,
Farnborough. Arthur died 1961
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| Farnborough and North Camp Lodge 1915 Members |
Andrew C. Hills born Preston, Lancashire, aged 6 at the time
of the 1881 Census. He is also listed as
a Scholar. 1903 Andrew Charles is a
member of the United Service Lodge, Hong Kong Freemasons and his occupation is
listed as Corporal Royal Engineers. By the
time of the 1911 Census, Charles is still serving as a Staff Sergeant with
Royal Engineers based at Mauritius and South Africa. Charles died 1965.
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| British Census 2nd April 1911 Mauritius and South Africa Army Base |
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| United Service Lodge Hong Kong 1903 Members |
Caroline B. Hills born Preston, Lancashire, aged 5 at the time
of the 1881 Census. She is also listed as a Scholar. Caroline died 1909
James L. Hills, born Shorncliffe, Kent, aged 2 at the time
of the 1881 Census. 1920, James Lyttle
is a member of Midland Lodge, Graaff Reinet, Freemasons and his occupation is
listed as Postmaster. May 1936, James
was a passenger on board the Santa Paula sailing from New York to San
Francisco, California. James arrived at
New York during 1911, sailing from Liverpool on board the Carmania. James died 1944.
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| Midland Lodge Graaff Reinet 1920 Members |
Baby Jane L. Hills was bon in Aldershot. After the 1881 Census there is not much
information relating to Jane.
The 1881 census has a nephew, Charles aged 7 - this is my maternal grandfather Charles William Kettridge (the name is wrongly written on the form, it took me years to track him down!) I believe one of the boys was Clerk of Works for the erection of the statue of Wellington by Martin,Kemp. And I think Arthur Hills became Mayor of Aldershot at some time - his sister used to come into Aldershot Library every day when I worked there 1963-65 but I didn't know of our family connection at that time.
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