Henry Hills

Skipper Henry Hills – Trawler Roche Castle – First Naval Burial

The Vessel – Roche Castle

The hired trawler Roche Castle (Adty No. 1353) was built in 1910 by Smith’s Dock Co. Ltd., South Bank. The vessel, weighing 241 grt, was Swansea-registered (SA.105) and armed with a single 12-pounder gun.

Roche Castle
Lloyd's Register

First listed in Lloyd’s Register in 1912, her owners were the Castle Steam Trawlers, Swansea. During the First World War, Roche Castle was taken into service as a minesweeper, operating between March 1915 and 1919.

Skipper Henry Hills

Henry Hills served as skipper of the Roche Castle during 1915. On 8^th May 1915, he died at the Royal Naval Hospital, Pembroke Dock.

The hospital itself had replaced the old frigate hulk Nankin, which for many years had served as a dockyard hospital. A new naval hospital ashore was opened in 1902, later expanded during the Second World War by the RAF. In 1961, the site was transferred to the NHS as the South Pembrokeshire District Hospital, which remains in use today.

Early Life

Henry Hills was born in 1869 in Brasted, Kent, the son of Henry Hills and Elizabeth Medhurst.

1871 Census

At the time of the 1871 Census, the family lived at No. 2 Magdala Cottage, Brasted. Henry senior, aged 23, was employed as an agricultural labourer, while Elizabeth was 20. Their son Henry was then 11 months old. Also present were Henry’s father David Hills, 66, and his brother Alfred Hills, 20, both agricultural labourers.

1881 Census

By the 1881 Census, the family was still at Magdala Cottage. Henry senior, 34, remained an agricultural labourer, and Elizabeth was 31. Their children were Henry, 11; Mary, 9; George, 7; Sarah, 4; Thomas, 3; and Percy, aged 1.

1891 Census

The 1891 Census recorded the family at 54 Brasted Chalk Road. Henry senior, 44, was now a general labourer, and Elizabeth was also 44. Their children included Henry, 20, employed as a carman; George, 16, working as a servant; Sarah, 13; Thomas, 12; Percy, 10; William, 8; Alfred, 6; and Annie, aged 4. Also living with them was Elizabeth’s mother, Mary Medhurst, 75.

In 1894, Henry married Florence Alice Elms.

1901 Census

By the 1901 Census, Henry, aged 32, and Florence, 31, were living as boarders at 32 Point Street, Milford Haven. Henry’s occupation was listed as Mate, Steam Ship, and the couple had two children: Florence, 4, and Henry, 2 months.

1911 Census

The 1911 Census recorded the Hills family at 36 Danygraig Road, St Thomas, Swansea. Henry, aged 42, was employed as a Fisherman, Master Trawler, while Florence Alice, also 42, managed the home. Their children were Florence Isabel, 14; Henry, 10; Edith Doris, 7; Walter Rowland, 5; and Clara, aged 3.

Death and Burial

Henry Hills
Danygraig Cemetery
credit - findagrave

Skipper Henry Hills’ body was returned to Swansea, where he was laid to rest at Danygraig Cemetery. He is remembered as the first naval burial at the cemetery during the First World War.

Legacy

Skipper Henry Hills represents the important role played by Swansea’s maritime community in the First World War. As master of the hired trawler Roche Castle, he was part of the civilian fishing fleet adapted for war service, which was vital to Britain’s naval defence. These small trawlers and their crews were converted into minesweepers, tasked with keeping the shipping lanes open and safeguarding merchant vessels from the deadly threat of mines.

Henry’s death in 1915 and his burial at Danygraig Cemetery place him within the wider story of Swansea men who served not only in the trenches but also at sea, often in dangerous and under-recognised roles. His life and service link the local fishing industry to the broader war effort, showing how civilian skills and labour were pressed into service during the conflict.

Today, his grave stands as a reminder of the men who risked — and gave — their lives in maritime service, ensuring that Britain’s ports and trade routes remained open throughout the war.