Lieutenant Colonel Victor Cadifor Hilditch, DSO, MC

Victor Cadifor Hilditch

In February 1919, Lieutenant Colonel Victor Cadifor Hilditch, DSO, MC, of the Royal Field Artillery, was buried at St. Paul’s, Sketty. He had survived the war, but the influenza epidemic claimed his life on 11 February 1919, at the age of 31.

Victor was the son of John and Elizabeth Hilditch, and the husband of Kate Grace Hilditch. The family lived at “Ingleby,” Tavistock Road, Sketty.

Early Life

1891 Census

John Hilditch married Elizabeth Gweinford Heycock in 1886. By the 1891 Census, the couple were living at 19 Davies Row, Aberdare, where John, aged 29, was working as a foreman in works. Elizabeth was 26, and their young son Victor was three years old.

1901 Census

By 1901, the family had moved to Wrexham. John was employed as an Inspector of Factories, Victor was 13, and he had a younger sister, Eleanor Mary, aged two. A live-in servant completed the household.

1911 Census

Ten years later, the 1911 Census places the family in Swansea, at 52 Bryn Road. John, now 49, was serving as H.M. Inspector of Factories for the Home Office. Victor, aged 23, was employed as a mechanical engineer at a chemical works, while his sister Elinor was still at school.

Military Service

South Wales Daily Post

At the outbreak of the First World War, Victor volunteered for Kitchener’s New Army. In January 1915, he was commissioned into the Royal Field Artillery, and the following month he was sent to France.

The South Wales Daily Post reported:

“At the outbreak of war, he at once volunteered for service, and obtained his commission in January 1915. He went to France the following month, and saw much heavy fighting.”

Victor quickly distinguished himself. In 1917, he was awarded the Military Cross (MC) for bravery. During the German Spring Offensive of 1918, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) for “exceptionally gallant conduct in resisting the enemy.”

In June 1918, he was recalled to England, where he was attached to the teaching staff, passing on his battlefield experience to new officers.

Marriage

Victor Cadifor Hilditch and Kate Grace Macdonnell
Wedding certificate
St. Gabriel, Swansea

In 1916, Victor married Kate Grace Macdonnell, a Bachelor of Science, at St. Gabriel’s Church, Swansea. Their marriage certificate records Victor’s occupation as Lieutenant, Royal Field Artillery.

Final Days and Funeral

South Wales Daily Post

Victor survived the war itself, but not the deadly influenza pandemic that followed. On 11^th February 1919, he died at the age of 31.

The South Wales Daily Post reflected:

“Lieut.-Col. Hilditch, who was only 31 years of age, was taken from us in the prime of his life, not on the battlefield, but as the result of the influenza scourge which has swept through the land.”

Victor Cadifor Hilditch
St. Paul's Church
credit - findagrave

His funeral took place at St. Paul’s Church, Sketty, and was widely attended.

“The funeral took place at St. Paul’s Church, Sketty, amid many manifestations of sorrow and respect. Officers and men with whom he had served were represented, together with local dignitaries and friends of the family. The service was marked by dignity and quiet solemnity, befitting the memory of one who had given so much in the nation’s service.”

He was laid to rest in the churchyard at St. Paul’s, his grave a lasting reminder of both his service and the tragic toll of influenza.