Albert Hill

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 supernumary 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 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. The inquest held at Romsey on 3 August 1915 returned a verdict of 'accidental death.' He was interred in Nottingham General Cemetery in a military funeral on 6 August 1915 (grave ref. 8721).

CWGC 75452494: Alfred Atkin 22023 Private 7th Bn Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment). ALIAS See Hill Albert true family name. CWGC 75451623: Albert Hill 22023 Private 7th Bn Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment). Served as Atkin Alfred. Identification confirmed by the Soldiers' Effects Register. Nottingham Evening Post, 4th 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, 'Roll of Honour, 5 August 1915: ‘Hill. On duty 31st at Romsey, killed on duty, Albert Hill, Sherwood Foresters, aged 55 years, Funeral General Cemetery. Wife and daughter.’ Above courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918 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 and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918 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) 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).