Albert Hill
In 1911 he worked in the lace industry.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Albert Hill married Sarah Ann Thacker (b. 1863) at Nottingham St Saviour on 19 October 1884 and according to the information provided on the 1911 Census they had had four children of whom only one survived. Three of their children have been traced (Hill/Thacker): Harriet birth registered 1885 (JFM) d. 1886 (JAS), Emma b. March 1886 and Sarah Ann birth registered 1888 (JFM) d. 1888 (JFM).
Albert, a lace maker, his wife who was working as a cotton doubler and their surviving daughter, Emma, were living at 24 Poplar Street, Nottingham, in 1891. The family had moved to 16 Gough Street, Fisher Gate, by 1901; both Albert and his wife were in the same employment as ten years previously and their daughter was a turner-off (hosiery).
Albert, who was still employed in the lace industry, and Sarah were living at 3 Rushworth Terrace, Twells Street, St Ann's Well Road, in 1911. Their daughter Emma had married Charles William Thorpe at Nottingham St Mark in December 1906 and they had two daughters Florence Mabel (b. 1907) and Elizabeth Evelyn (b. 1908) who died in 1918 aged 10.
Albert was killed in an accident in 1915 while serving with the Notts & Derby Regiment, and in 1921 his widow Sarah, an unemployed cotton winder (previously employed by Thos. Hodgson Ltd, lace manufacturers), was living at 75 Millstone Street, Nottingham.
Their daughter Emma Thorpe, a turner-off (hosiery), and her husband Charles, a butcher's slaughterman, were living at 22a Hedderley Street, Nottingham, in 1921. Their surviving daughter Florence was living with an uncle and aunt, Alfred and Florence Lakin (née Maddocks m. March 1918), who kept the Halfmoon Hotel at Hucknall.
Sarah Ann Hill died in June 1932.
Her granddaughter Florence Thorpe had married Walter Kicks in 1930 and in 1939 they and their son Neville (b. 1932) were living at 10 Claypole Road, Nottingham. Also in the household were Florence's parents; Charles, an unemployed grocer and Emma a welter (hosiery).
Charles Thorpe died in 1955 and his widow Emma in 1975.
Albert served under an alias, Alfred Atkin (CWGC 75452494)
Albert was a member of the National Reserve (later disbanded) and in December 1915 joined one of the supernumerary companies of the 7th Notts. and Derby Regiment.
He was posted to Romsey, Cambridgeshire, to guard railway bridges etc. Albert was on duty in the guardroom at No. 20 railway bridge at Romsey, Cambridgeshire, on 31 July 1915 and was found on the railway line later that day. His injuries were presumed to have been caused by being knocked down by a passing train and the inquest held at Romsey on 3 August 1915 returned a verdict of 'accidental death'.
Albert was interred in Nottingham General Cemetery with full Military Honours on 6 August 1915 (grave ref. 8721).
CWGC 75452494 : Alfred Atkin, Service Number, 22023, Private, 7th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters, (Notts and Derby Regiment). ALIAS See Hill Albert true family name.
CWGC 75451623 : Albert Hill, Service number, 22023, Private, 7th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters, (Notts and Derby Regiment). Served as Atkin Alfred.
Identification confirmed by the Register of Soldiers' Effects.
Registers of Soldiers' Effects: His widow, Sarah Ann Hill, was his legatee.
(2016) Albert has an unmarked grave. However, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission has agreed to erect a headstone. Note: CWGC headstone now marks the grave (see photograph).
Nottingham Evening Post, 4 August 1915: 'KILLED ON THE RAILWAY. NOTTINGHAM SOLDIER'S UNTIMELY END
'An inquest was held yesterday [3rd August 1915] at Romsey, Hampshire, concerning the death of Private Alfred Atkin [Albert Hill], lacemaker. Aged 55, of 3, Rushworth-Street, Nottingham, at present located in Romsey for the purpose of guarding the railway bridges, &c., in the district, and whose remains were found the L. and S. W. Railway on Saturday night [31st July 1915].
'According to the evidence, the deceased was on duty in the guardroom of No. 20 railway bridge and was found dead on the line about 10 o'clock. There was nothing to show how he got on the line, but it was supposed that he was knocked down by a passing train.
'Captain Spendlove, in charge of the Company, said the deceased was a quiet, steady, and reliable man, and they all regretted his death.
'A verdict of “Accidental death”’ was returned.'
Nottingham Evening Post, 6 August 1915: 'KILLED ON THE LINE. FUNERAL OF A NOTTINGHAM SOLDIER.
'With military honours the funeral took place at the Nottingham General Cemetery this afternoon [6th August 1915] of Private A. Atkins, 53, [sic] who was run over and killed by a passing train near the place he had been guarding in the south of England on Saturday. [31st July 1915]
'His home was in Russell-Terrace, Hutchinson-Street, off Alfred-Street, and prior to the outbreak of war he was a member of the National Reserve. He joined in December one the supernumerary Companies of the 7th Notts. and Derby Regiment, and had been engaged in military duties ever since.
'The coffin was with the Union Jack, and men from the same contingent as that to which deceased belonged formed the firing party. Sir Charles Seely, who was commandant of the National Reserve until it was disbanded, was present at the graveside, and officers who attended were Capt. Ashworth, Capt. Butler, and Lieut. E. C. Smith, with number of the men.”
Above courtesy of Jim Grundy facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 5 August 1915: ‘Hill. On July 31st, at Romsey, killed on duty, Albert Hill, Notts and Derby Regiment, Aged 55 years. Funeral General Cemetery (top chapel), Friday, 2.30. He did his duty. From sorrowing wife and daughter.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
West Bridgford Advertiser, 14 August 1915: 'The funeral took place with military honours of Private A Atkins (sic), a Nottingham soldier, who was run over and killed by a passing train near a post he was guarding in the South of England on Saturday.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 31 July 1916: ‘Hill. In loving remembrance of Private Albert Hill, accidentally killed at Romsey, July 31st, 1915. A day of remembrance, sad to recall. From wife, daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren.’ [Emma and Charles Thorpe, children Florence and Elizabeth] (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Also notice from wife, daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren, Nottingham Evening Post, 31 July 1917.
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 5 July 1918: ‘Thorpe. On July 2nd, Elizabeth Evelyn, dearly beloved child of Charles and Emma Thorpe aged 10 years, passed peacefully away, 22a, Hedderley-street. Funeral General Cemetery, top end, Saturday, 11.15.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 23 June 1932: ‘Hill. June 21st, Sarah Ann, the dearly loved mother of Emma, son-in-law Charlie. Interment General Cemetery, Saturday, 11.30.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 23 June 1932: ‘Hill. June 21st, Sarah Ann, the dearly loved grandma of Florrie [Florence Mabel] and Walter.’ [Florence & Walter Kicks m. 1930] (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Additional research/record updated: RF Dec. 2025.
Albert Hill (alias Alfred Atkin)
Nottingham Evening Post, 14 September 1915. Courtesy Jim Grundy facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
Albert Hill (alias Alfred Atkin)
Grave and CWGC headstone, Nottingham General Cemetery. Photograph Peter Gillings
Photo of Albert Hill
Albert Hill (served as Alfred Atkin) buried in Nottingham General Cemetery. Photograph Gary Crosby (25 Nov. 2020)