John Walter Hill
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
John Walter was born in 1895 in Huthwaite and was the son of Ben William a coal miner and Ann Margaret Hill née Lee, his father Ben was born in 1868 in Huthwaite and his mother Ann was born 1875 also in Huthwaite, They were married in September 1892 in the Mansfield Registration district and they had 8 children , sadly 1 of which died in infancy prior to 1911, their children were Susan Hannah b1894, John Walter b1895, Harry b1898, Joseph b1900, Margaret b1904, Allan b1905 and Ernest b1900 , all the children were born in Huthwaite.. The family lived at 80 Blackwell Road Huthwaite and are shown on the 1911 census as such.
John enlisted in Mansfield , stating he had been born and was residing in Huthwaite. He served with the 2nd battalion Sherwood Foresters where he gained the rank of Lance Sergeant. He was killed in action on 16th September 1916 while leading his platoon in an attack. He has no known grave , his name is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial on the Somme.
Notts Free Press – 1st. December, 1916. With respect to the recent death in action of Sergeant J.W. Hill of Huthwaite, the following letter has been received by his parents :- “ Dear Mr. Hill,-in reply to your letter regarding your son, he was killed by machine gun fire as he was leading his platoon in the attack. He was shot through the body, and died and was buried near Ginchy. He was exceedingly popular with the Company and is a great loss, for besides being a good N.C.O. he was always so cheerful and when he met his death he was most bravely leading his platoon, there being no officer in command. I very much wish I had his help in the Company now, and I deeply sympathise with you in your loss.-Yours sincerely. L.W. Hancock (Captain)”
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