George Hill – Rifle Brigade, 12th Battalion

Rifleman George Hill – Rifle Brigade, 12^th Battalion

Early Life

George Hill

George Hill was born in 1894 in Swansea, the son of William Hill and Margaret Lewis, who were married in 1891 in Swansea.

1901 Census

The 1901 Census records the Hill family residing at Clyne Castle Road Cottage, Blackpill. William Hill (36), born in Swansea, was employed as a General Labourer at the Patent Fuel Works, and his wife Margaret (33) was at home with their children. Those present were George (7), Elizabeth Ann (5), and Janet (3)—all attending school—along with Alice Maud (1) and Gladys E. (3 months).

1911 Census

By the 1911 Census, the family had moved to 10 Forgefield Terrace, Westcross. William, now 47, was working as a Dock Labourer, and Margaret was 44. Their children recorded were George (17), employed as a Blacksmith’s Striker; Elsie (12) and Gladys (11), both attending school; William John (9); and Henry Howell (5).

Military Service and Death

Attestation Papers

George’s surviving Attestation Papers show that he enlisted on 9^th September 1914. He served as a Rifleman with the 12^th Battalion, Rifle Brigade during the First World War.

In the months before his death, the 12th Battalion was serving on the Western Front as part of the 60^th Brigade, 20^th (Light) Division. Early 1916 was a period of continuous trench warfare, during which the battalion rotated through front-line, support, and reserve positions in sectors of France and Belgium. Although not engaged in any major offensive at this time, the men faced constant dangers from shellfire, trench-mortar bombardments, snipers, night patrol clashes, and the harsh conditions of winter in the trenches. These routine but hazardous duties produced steady casualties, and many wounded soldiers were evacuated to the base hospitals along the coast.

George Hill
Étapes Military Cemetery, France
credit - findagrave

George Hill was among those evacuated. He died of wounds on 16^th  April 1916  at No. 24 General Hospital, Étaples — one of the largest and best-equipped British medical centres in France. The hospital treated thousands of severely wounded soldiers brought from the fighting fronts, and many who succumbed to their wounds were buried nearby. George Hill rests in Étapes Military Cemetery, France, which contains graves of numerous men who died while under hospital care.

Commemoration

Herald of Wales

News of George’s death was published in the Herald of Wales in April 1916, marking the loss felt by his family and community.