Major Philip Geoffrey Powys Hill CC
3rd Battalion The Welsh Regiment
1st Battalion Worcestershire Regiment
1st Battalion AIF
by Robert Simpson
Philip Geoffrey Powys Hill was born in Norristown, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania in the United States of America on 3rd November 1881 to British parents. His parents were Alfred Biscoe Hill and Edith Mary Powys who had been married on 30th November 1880 in St Stephen’s Church Bath, Somerset in England. Alfred; who had been born on 11th August 1848 in Britford, Wiltshire, was recorded as a bachelor and Gentleman living at Lyncombe and Edith; born 21st August 1853 in Whitchurch, was a spinster living at Landsdown Crescent. Alfred’s father was the Vicar of Britford and Edith’s father was an MP. They also had two girls, Edith Mary Powys Hill (born 2nd April 1885 at Amesbury Wiltshire) and Phyllis Barrington Hill (born on 6th May 1887 in Torquay Devon). Philip was baptised on 12th August 1882 at Tunbridge Wells, St Barnabas in Kent. His address was listed as Croft House Woodbury Park Road. His parents were listed as Alfred Bircoe(sic) Hill (a Gentleman) and Edith Mary. Tragedy struck the family when Edith died on 12th April 1888 at The Croft Wallingford Berkshire and was buried on 16th April 1888 at Whitchurch. Her will and estate stated she was formerly of Britford but late of Bishopsdown near Salisbury and the estate of over £129 went to her husband. In the 1891 census, they were living at 1 Stanley Place Wilston Villa in Walcot, Bath and his father was living on his own means. Philip was educated at Rugby School, in Warwickshire; it is one of the oldest independent schools in Great Britain. He entered in 1896 and left in 1898.
On 8th September 1889 at Ryde, Hampshire, England, Alfred married Edith Allford Lyon. Edith had been born in 1856 in Yeovil, Somerset. Her parents were Thomas and Frances Lyon. Thomas was an attorney and solicitor in the 1861 census and they were still living in the same town. In the 1901 census, the family was living at Berrow Road at Burnham, Somerset. Alfred was living on his own means. There were also 3 children in the house with a nurse and cook. Phoebe Lyon Hill had been born in 1890 in Bath, Somerset. The youngest family member, Alfred Lyon Hill was born on 14th April 1893 at Bath. The family was rocked again when Alfred passed away on 13th July 1909 at Tiverton Devonshire. He was buried in St John the Baptist Churchyard, Sampford Peverell, Devon. Probate for him reads “HILL Alfred Biscoe of Burnham Somersetshire gentleman died 13 July 1909 at Sampford Peverell Devonshire Probate Wells 28 September to Edith Allford Hill widow. Effects £2418 17s. 11d.”
In the Army and Navy Gazette in London on 10th February 1900 under the heading Staff was an entry “The undermentioned gentlemen to be 2nd Lieuts.” for Philip Geoffrey Powys Hill. The London Gazette of 14th May 1901 had under the listing of “The undermentioned Officers to be 2nd Lieutenants. Dated 4th May, 1901” was an entry for “The Worcestershire Regiment, Second Lieutenant Philip Geoffrey Powys Hill, from 3rd Battalion the Welsh Regiment, on augmentation.” He was in the 1st Battalion. During the Boer War he served as an Assistant Remount Officer during operations in Cape Colony from November 1900 to June 1901 and in the Orange River Colony from April to May 1902. He was promoted to a Lieutenant on 5th November 1902.
His QSA was issued in the roll for 3rd Battalion The Welsh Regiment, showing he was entitled to Cape Colony clasp as a Lieutenant. In remarks column is “Commission Worcester Regiment”. In the 1st Battalion Worcestershire Regiment roll is an entry for Lieutenant P. G. P. Hill for QSA with entitlement to Cape Colony and Orange Free State clasps. The remarks column noted from 3rd Welsh Regiment and there is an entry before his name noting the medal was issued with CC clasp from another roll (reference given) on 2nd December 1901. Another roll for the 1st Battalion Worcestershire Regiment records that application for the QSA was already recorded in Supplementary Battalion Roll and he had received the medal. It also records he was entitled to the clasps Transvaal, South Africa 1901 and South Africa 1902 and he was entitled to the King’s South Africa Medal.
In Harts Annual Army list of 1903, Philip was listed in The Worcestershire Regiment under the heading of Lieutenants as Philip Geoffrey Powys Hill, who had seniority as a 2nd Lieutenant from 4th May 1901 and as a Lieutenant from 5th November 1902 and had 2 years of full pay. He had 2 full years of pay and the number 1 beside his name. In the Meteor Magazine from Rugby School, Philip was listed as 2nd Lieutenant in the 3rd Battalion The Welch Regiment for Anglo-Boer War Records 1899-1902. The London Gazette of 24th August 1906 has an entry for “6th Battalion, The Worcestershire Regiment : Philip Geoffrey Powys Hill, Gentleman (late Lieutenant, The Worcestershire Regiment), to be Lieutenant. Dated 29th July, 1906.”
By the 1911 census, Philip was living at The Grange, Kempsey, Worcester and was listed as a Captain (Special Reserve). He was living with his step-mother Edith Alford Hill (aged 55, a widow) and step-sister Phoebe Lyon Hill (aged 20 and single). At some stage after that he migrated to Australia.
Philip applied for a Commission in the 1st Infantry Battalion Australian Imperial Force on 27th August 1914. His religion was recorded as Church of England. For educational qualifications he recorded Rugby School. Under military qualifications he recorded “5 years line service with commission, Worcestershire Regiment, 9 years special reserve, South Africa 1900-1902. Rank Captain. Resigned 29th. April. 1914.” He stated he was 32 years and 10 months old, bring born on 3rd November 1881. Philip was a British subject, single, with his postal address as “Elevera, Man’s Avenue, Neutral Bay, Sydney.” His next of kin was his step-mother, Mrs E A Hill, The Grange, Kempsey, Worcestershire, England. This was later changed to Abbey House, Greater Malvern. Captain Wentworth Thompson AAMC examined him and certified to his ability and health. His description was height 5 foot 6 inches, weight 10 stone 4 pounds, chest measurement 34 to 37 inches and good eyesight. Philip was recommended to be a Captain in B Squadron by the Commanding Officer on 28th August 1914 and the District Commandant recommended him in September 1914. His appointment as Captain with the 1st Battalion on 27th August 1914 was recorded in the Commonwealth Gazette Number 74 on 19th September 1914. He enlisted for the term of the war and 4 months. In the Embarkation Roll, Philip is listed as Captain Philip Goffney Powys Hill (error with one of his middle names), aged 33, single, of Elevera, Mants-avenue (should be Manns avenue), Neutral Bay, Sydney NSW. His next of kin was Mrs Hill “The Grange” Kempsey, Worcester, England. His religion was Church of England and he enlisted on 27th August 1914. His pay was 22 shillings and 6 pence a day of which he took 19 shillings a day and the rest was deferred until completion of his service with the AIF. He embarked on HMAT A19 Afric on 18th October 1914 from Sydney.
He was listed in the 1st Infantry Brigade (New South Wales) as a Company Commander in the 1st Battalion (NSW), with date of appointment to the AIF as 27th August 1914 as a Captain and it noted his previous service. A note in the Graduation List of 6th December 1914 said he retired on 28th April 1909 as a Captain in the Worcestershire Regiment.
Photo of 1st Battalion Officers (1st Infantry Brigade of the Australian Expeditionary Force) at Kensington in October 1914. Captain P G P Hill is in the 2nd row, 6th from the left.
The Battalion marched to the ship on Sunday, 18th October and were on board by noon. The Battalion strength was 1013 which included 32 officers. Philip was listed as Captain of B Company.
Elevera is registered with the NSW Government and they say it is “A fine example of a late-nineteenth century Italianate villa near the foreshores of Neutral Bay, this is also a characteristic development for the area at that time. It is a part of a collection of fine large houses of the period in the vicinity.” The address is 2 Manns Avenue. It is currently a Private Lodge.
From AWM P07973.005– “Outdoor group portrait of Officers of the 1st Battalion. Identified left to right; Captain Philip Goffney (should be Geoffrey) Powys Hill (died of wounds 9 June 1915); Major Frederick James Kindon; Mr Williams, an official interpreter; 2/Lt Arthur Champion; 2/Lt Alfred John Shout (later Captain, MC and VC, who died of wounds at sea, 11 August 1915), Lt William Sydney Duchesne (Killed in action 25 April 1915). At Mena Egypt. Date taken December 1914 – March 1915”.
1914 Christmas post card personalized for him, back of card shows it was a 1 penny Australian post card and correspondence could be added on the left side.
The Battalion trained in Egypt, mainly at Mena. Order came on 2nd April 1915 to move, so they marched to Cairo and then trained to Alexandria. Philip was commanding C Company at that time.
The Battalion was part of the second and third waves ashore at Gallipoli on 25th April 1915 and was involved with the fierce fighting over the next few days.
AWM A04020. Date taken c May 1915. Informal group portrait of four officers of the 1st Battalion at Anzac. Major Philip Geoffrey Powys Hill is first left and Lieutenant George Frederick Wootten (later General Sir George Wootten) is third from left smoking a cigarette. The other two men are unidentified. Major Hill received a serious gunshot wound to his stomach on 24 May 1915 and he was evacuated to Malta where he died on 9 June.
AWM C01940. A group of 1st Battalion officers resting. Identified left to right: unidentified; Major William Davidson, who died of wounds on 19 August 1915; Captain Clive Wentworth Thompson, Australian Army Medical Corps (AAMC); unidentified (obscured); Lieutenant Colonel Leonard Dobbin; Major Frederick James Kindon; Captain Philip Geoffrey Hill who later died of wounds on 9 June 1915 at Malta.
Philip was promoted to Major on 27th April 1915 (vice Major R C Dawson wounded) at Gallipoli, and it was recorded in the Commonwealth Gazette Number 103 on 4th September 1915.
In his report of the operations from 25th to 30th April the Officer Commanding 1st Battalion stated “Other officers who deserve special mention are those opposite”, and the list included Captain P.G.P Hill. He received a “Special Mention in Div Order 60 for Act of Conspicuous Gallantry or Valuable Service during period April 25th to May 5th 1915.” It was promulgated in AMO No 570 of 1915 and extracted from ACRO for 29th June 1915 for the period of 25th April to 5th May 1915.
Philip has a file in New Zealand WW1 Service Records which consists of three pages. The first one is a NZ Post Office Telegraph dated 28th May 1915 and marked urgent OHMS. It is to the Commandant Defence Headquarters Melbourne and says “Advice received from Malta reports that Captain P G Hill 1st Battalion 1st Brigade Australian Infantry dangerously ill”. There is also a header card stamped Australian Forces over NZEF. The last page is a New Zealand Post Office Telegraph, stamped Telegraph Office NZ Wellington on 27th May 1915 and addressed to Defence Wellington. It was handed in at 8.55 pm from “MALTA 26 VIA EASTERN PASNEL BG 12/4”. General Headquarters Defence also stamped in the same date. Some of it is in code and has been translated in pencil, (in brackets). It reads “Captain P G Hill aversively (1st Battalion) bondwoman (1st Brigade) Australian Infantry I Deenland (dangerously ill) Commandeth”.
His service record records on 24th May 1915 on Gallipoli he received a “B.W. abdomen severe” and was sent to a hospital in Malta on the 27th, where he died of wounds received in action on 9th June 1915 at Malta Cottonsea Hospital. Another record says “Bt. Wound Abdomen (Severe)” from HMT Soudan on 24th May 1915. On 27th May 1915 the hospital at Malta said “Dangerous”.
An undated letter was sent to “Secretary of Defence Victoria Barracks Melbourne” from Grace Darling c/o Major Jackson, “Warrira” Kurraba Road, Neutral Bay NSW, which asked “Would you kindly grant me the favour of answering this letter informing me of any information concerning my fiancée’s condition who is Captain P. G. P. Hill of the 1st Battalion Infantry Brigade who was reported wounded now dangerously ill and the anxiety is more than I can bear. His relations all live in England and I hear no news (?) through the papers and would you kindly inform me of any further news you receive before publishing in the paper. Captain Sherbon at the Staff in Sydney has advised me to write to you to grant me this favour and oblige” It was received by the Defence Department on 3rd June 1915 and a note of it was recorded in his service record summary page. Base Records replied to her on 13th June 1915, stating “In reply to yours (undated) I much regret to inform you that a cable has been received from Malta, dated 10th inst., reporting that Captain P. G. P. Hill, 1st Battalion, Australian Imperial Forces, has died of wounds received in action at the Dardanelles. The sad news will be conveyed by cable to his next of kin who resides in England.”
The Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette of 26th June 1915 included under local war items “BURNHAM OFFICERS KILLED AND WOUNDED. Capt. Philip Geoffrey Powys Hill, 1st Battalion Infantry, Australian Imperial Force, who died of wounds at Malta, on June 9. was born in November” 1881.
A parcel of his effects was listed as “Inventory of effects of the late Capt. P.T.Powys-Hill 1st Batt. A.I.F.” and was despatched on 13th August 1915 by Thomas Cook and Sons to Defence. The parcel contained 12 stars, 1 packet of letters, 1 pipe, 2 keys, 1 medal ribbon and 2 handkerchiefs.
On 24th August, Edith Hill wrote a letter “I write to acknowledge with very many thanks the 5 photographs you have sent me of my late step sons grave, Major P. G. P. Hill 1st Batt Australian I. F. This is a great comfort for me to know that his grave will always be cared for & I am most grateful for you for telling me this.” She recorded the address as Abbey House (late of The Grange).
The Report of Death of an Officer to be forwarded to the War Office was filled out for Major P G P Hill 1st Battalion AIF. It was reported by cable from Malta and showed he died of wounds received in action in hospital at Malta on 9th June 1915. His will was not to hand at that time and it was signed by Major Cyril Griffiths at Alexandria on 16th October 1915. He is listed in the Nominal Roll as a Captain who died of wounds on 9.6.15. Confirmation of his death was received by cable and recorded on his service record. The High Commission was advised of his wounding on 27th May and of his death on 31st May 1915.
Philip was originally buried in Rinella Cemetery Malta in No 6 B1 Row OR.6., as recorded in his service record, by Chaplain M Tobias.
On 2nd October 1915 advice of the despatch of his personal effects was received by Base Records.
Base Records in Melbourne sent his step-mother a letter on 30th November 1915 which read “I am directed to forward herewith the following extract from the Army Corps Routine Orders for 29th June, 1915. “153 COMPLIMENTARY. The Army Corps Commander has very much pleasure in publishing the names of the Junior Regimental Officers, Warrant Officers, N.C.O.’s and men, in the attached Supplement, which have been brought to his notice for having preformed various acts of conspicuous gallantry or valuable service during the period from 25th April to 5th May, 1915. He cordially thanks them for their good work they have performed, which more than ever testifies to their devotion to duty towards King and Country. His only regret is that they cannot all be rewarded.” Captain P. G. P. Hill, 1st Battalion (promoted Major) since died of Wounds.) The above has been promulgated in Australian Military Order No. 570 of 1915.” It was also recorded in the list for 1st Australian Division 1st Battalion.
On 7th December 1915, Base Records sent a letter to Finance Member which stated “Major Philip Geoffrey Powys Hill, 1st battalion is reported as having died of wounds at Malta on 9/6/15. He was 32 years 10 months of age on 27/8/14, single, and next-of-kin is recorded as: – Mrs. Hill (mother) “The Grange”, Kempsye, WORCESTER; ENGLAND. He joined the Australian Imperial Force in the 2nd Military District and nominal roll shows not allotment. No will for this officer has passed through this branch.”
Base Records Melbourne sent Mrs Hill “The Grance” Kempsey Worcester England a letter on 8th December 1915 saying “With reference to the report of the regrettable loss of your son, the late Major P. G. P. Hill, 1st Battalion, I am now in receipt of advice which shows that he died of wounds in Hospital, Malta, on the 9th June, 1915. These additional details are furnished by direction, it being the policy of the Department to supply all possible information in connexion with deaths of members of the Australian Imperial Force.”
Edith sent a letter on 26th January 1916 saying “I write to thank you for your letter telling me that my step-son Captain P.G.P. Hill was mentioned in Despatches on June 29th 1915. I deeply regret that he did not live to hear of this distinction which has made all of his family feel very proud of him.” Her address was The Grange Kempsey Worcester.
Probate for his will was granted on 28th September 1916 to Thomas Gilbert Folliott and Phyllis Barrington Hill.
On 1st November 1916 a statement of war pension claims was filled out for Major “Phillip Geoffrey Powys Hill” 1st Battalion for Edith Alford Hill, 118 Bath Road Worcester, his step-mother, for £2.6.0 per fortnight commencing 10th June 1915.
He was recorded on the Nominal Roll as “Phillip Geoffrey Purvis Hill” 1st Battalion DOW 9.6.15.
An IWGC form for headstone inscriptions for Rinella Military Cemetery shows Major P G P Hill of 1st Battalion Australian Infantry had badge design number and layout number 1200/1E/1. He died (of wounds) on 9th June 1915 aged 33. He had a cross on the stone and was in Plot O Row I Grave 6. There was nothing else written on his grave. He was the only Australian buried there as recorded in the CWGC register of the cemetery. The register originally mis-spelt his name as Porvys, but crossed it out and corrected it in red. A note in red pen said “Now concentrated into (Capuccini) Naval Cemetery Malta.” A grave registration report form for Malta (Capuccini) Naval Cemetery showed all the same details and he was in grave 45. The date of re-burial was 6th July 1978 and shows the grave as Plot E, Row Single, Grave 45. His details were added to the CWGC record of that cemetery.
Grave reads: In loving memory of Major Philip Geoffrey Powys Hill 1st Battalion Australian L I late Captain 6th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment who died at Malta on June 9th 1915 of wounds received in action at the Dardanelles Elder son of the late Alfred Biscoe Hill. The back of the photo reads “Phylis Lightfoot’s (nee Hill) Brothers grave”.
On 10th June 1919, five copies of the photograph of his grave was sent to his next of kin. His Form of Commission was delivered in England on 28th November 1919 by AIF Headquarters. His 1914-15 Star and British War Medal were sent to AIF Headquarters and his Victory Medal was inscribed and issued by Australia House. His record shows a Circular and Booklet for Graves was despatched on 5th January 1920, but returned unclaimed with “C” Form forwarded to London on 16th June 1920. The pamphlet “Where The Australians Rest” was sent to his step-mother and his Memorial Scroll and Plaque were also sent to her on 7th December 1922.
His step-mother filled out the Roll of Honour Form for the Australian War Memorial, stating his full name, that he was a Major in the 1st Battalion, that he was born in Norristown, Pennsylvania in the United States of America of British parents, that he was wounded at Gallipoli and died at Malta, and he was an Officer in the British Army. She recorded that his age was 33 at time of death, for school her handwriting is illegible (may say Rugby?), and for other training he “served in South African War.” For the question “If born in Britain or abroad, at what age did he come to Australia?”, she wrote “In Americas, thirty.” For previous military service she wrote 3rd Welsh Regiment and 1st Worcester Regiment in South Africa. She gave her name as Mrs A B Hill of 2/4 Queen Alexandras Court Wimbledon.
Philip has an entry in the book “Memorials of Rugebians who fell in the Great War Volume II 7 May 15 – 18 Oct 15. In reads “Major P. G. P. Hill 1st Battalion Australian Infantry. Philip Geoffrey Powys Hill was the elder son of Alfred Biscoe Hill, of Britford, Wilts, and his wife Edith Mary, second daughter of Philip Lybbe Powys-Lybbe, of Harwick, near Oxford. He entered the School in 1896 and left in 1898. He was gazetted to the Worcestershire Regiment in 1901, served in the South Africa War, and received the Queen’s Medal with Clasp and the King’s Medal with two Clasps. After this he resigned his Commission, and went to New South Wales. On the outbreak of the War he applied for a Commission, and came with the First Australian Contingent to Egypt. In April, 1915, his Battalion was ordered to the Dardanelles, in May he was wounded, and died of his wounds in hospital at Malta on June 9th, 1915. Age 33. He was mentioned in Despatches of the Australian Army Corps Commander, under the date June 29th, 1915, and promoted Major. His Colonel wrote: – “He was one of our most popular Officers by reason of his many sterling qualities and his cheerfulness on all occasions. He has left behind him a fine record as a soldier, for he was quite fearless under very difficult circumstances.”” He was also written of in the Sydney Town and Country Journal of 30th September 1914 page 26, 9th June 1915 on page 31 and 30th June 1915 on page 15.
Reveille of 31st March 1931 (Volume 4 No 7 page 36) had a story titled “Swannell and Others: 1st Bn. Braves” by Lieutenant-Colonel F L Kindon VD 1st Battalion AIF. He wrote “Capt. Hill, who commanded “C” Coy., was scuppered by one of own shells, which got two others at the same time. He was a man who had the affection of everyone, and I shall never forget the way we cursed the forward observing officer of the battery who was in our trenches at the time. Of course, it wasn’t his fault – bad ammunition, or something.”
Philip Geoffrey Powys Hill’s name is located at panel 29 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial and his name will be projected onto the exterior of the Hall of Memory on:
Wednesday 23rd October 2019 at 2:40am
Friday 13th December 2019 at 3:46am
Tuesday 14th April 2020 at 5:35am.
He is also listed in the memorial at Rugby School Chapel (WMR 19536) in Rugby Warwickshire and is recorded in Australasian Imperial Expeditionary Forces Roll Of Honour as a Captain in the 1st Battalion who died of wounds on 9th June 1915. He is also listed in the Wiltshire Memorial Index, East Harnham with a note “Major AIF Roll of Honour 1914-18 War”. A biography is listed in the book “Memorials of Rugebians Who Fell in the Great War” in Volume II 7 May 15 – 18 Oct 15. It reads Major P. G. P Hill 1st Battalion Australian Infantry “PHILIP GEOFFRY POWYS HILL was the elder son of Alfred Biscoe Hill, of Britford, Wilts, and his wife Edith Mary, second daughter of Philip Lybbe Powys-Lybbe, of Harwick, near Oxford. He entered the School in 1896 and left in 1898. He was gazetted to the Worcestershire Regiment in 1901, served in the South African War, and received the Queen’s Medal with Clasp and the King’s Medal with two Clasps. After this he resigned his Commission and went to New South Wales. On the outbreak of the War he applied for a Commission, and came with the First Australian Contingent to Egypt. In April, 1915, his Battalion was ordered to the Dardanelles, in May he was wounded, and died of his wounds in hospital at Malta on June 9th, 1915. Age 33. He was mentioned in Despatches of the Australian Army Corps Commander, under the date June 29th, 1915, and promoted to Major. His Colonel wrote: – “He was one of our most popular Officers by reason of his many sterling qualities and his cheerfulness on all occasions. He has left behind him a fine record as a soldier, for he was quite fearless under very difficult circumstances.””
E045. Philip Geoffrey Powys HILL. Captain 1st Australian Infantry died on the 9th June 1915 aged 33 years. Born 3 November 1881 at Norristown, Pennsylvania, USA. Son of Alfred Briscoe and Edith Allford Hill. 1891, residing with his parents at 1 Stanley Place, Walcot, Somerset. His residence was The Grange, Kempsey, Worcestershire. Joined up aged 32 years and 10 months on the 27th August 1914. He had previously 5 years line service with commission to the Worcestershire Regiment and 9 years special reserve in South Africa 1900-1902 with the rank of captain. He resigned on the 29th April 1914. Next of kin was his mother Edith Alford Hill, of The Grange, Kempsey, Worcester and later of Abbey House, Malvern, Worcestershire. He was living at Elvera, Man’s Avenue, Neutral Bay, Sydney. He was wounded in the abdomen at Gallipoli on the 24th May 1915 and admitted into Military Hospital Cottonera, Malta. His effects went to Thomas Gilbert Folliott, bank manager and Phyllis Barrington Hill, spinster. Originally interred in Plot O. Row I. Grave 5 Rinella Military Cemetery re-interred in Capuccini Naval Cemetery, Malta in 1978. Now at rest Capuccini (Kalkara) Naval Cemetery, Malta Plot E Grave 45.
He is mentioned in Anzac Officers who died at Gallipoli, here – http://www.anzacs.org/ “Major Philip Geoffrey Powys HILL (Queen’s South Africa Medal & Clasp. King’s South Africa Medal & 2 Clasps, Corps Complimentary for conspicuous gallantry or valuable service), 1st Battalion, AIF. Born Norristown, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, USA. Single; Officer in British Army, of ‘Elevera’, Manns Avenue, Neutral Bay, Sydney, NSW. Next of kin: Father; Alfred Biscoe Hill. Stepmother; Edith Alford Hill (nee Lyon), of ‘The Grange’, Kempsey, Worcestershire, England. Died of wounds in Malta, on 9 June 1915, aged 33. Grave: Capuccini Naval Cemetery, Kalkara, Malta.”
He is also remembered on https://vwma.org.au/explore/people/141822 and they record: Grave reference: “Plot E. Grave 45. Died of Wounds aged 33. Originally interred in Rinella Military Cemetery which is located about halfway between Kalkara Naval Cemetery and Bighi Hospital and was in use for British Servicemen and their families from 1865 to 1916. In 1978 any remains were transferred to Kalkara Naval Cemetery into a Mass Grave. There were however about a dozen later burials which were also moved to Kalkara Naval cemetery but to individual graves. Kalkara Naval Cemetery is also known as Capuccini Naval Cemetery.”
A Register Order Form was despatched on 23rd June 1932 and recorded in his service record, but it is not known what for.
With his family-
His step-mother Edith passed away on 25th September 1926 at 20 Digby-mansions Hammersmith London. She was buried in the same cemetery as her husband. Probate at London was granted on 20th November to Alfred Lyon Hill planter with effects of over £195.
Edith Mary Powys Hill was baptised by Arthur P Moires the Vicar at Britford, Wiltshire on 3rd May 1885. She married in late 1905. In the 1911 census she was living with Annie Phyllis Powys, aged 85, a widow living by private means at Barrington House, Lindfield Sussex. She filled out the census form and signed it, giving her surname as Hill and indicating she was single. Her occupation was Poultry Fancier. There were 5 other people in the house, obviously to look after Annie and a visitor. She may have passed away in 1948 in Abingdon Berkshire England, as there is a listing for an Edith P M Hill then, but it would need to be confirmed.
Phyllis
Barrington Hill was shown as a boarder in the 1911 census at the
house of Alfred Cooper, who was living on his own means, and his
family at 28 Normandy Road, Heavitree, Devon. On 4th
June 1916 she returned to Liverpool from New York on St Louis. She
was recorded as being an Accountant. In the 1939 register, she was
living at Brant House Roughnoor, Taunton with her husband John J
Lightfoot (born 26th
July 1882 in Canada), two sons and two people that can’t be
revealed. He was a Canal Boatman. In the 1950 electoral register, she
was living at 16 Crescent Road Bridgend with 3 other people of the
same surname. She passed away in Gloucester City in early 1972.
Phoebe Lyon Hill was baptised on 30th July 1890 in the Bath Christchurch Church of England Church at Somerset and C L Leir was the officiating minister. She served in WW1 with the Voluntary Aid Detachment at Malta from 3rd July 1917 to September 1917 and 4a (4 = African Theatre and a = British East Africa, German East Africa, Rhodesia, Nyasaland and Uganda, although the medal roll says “previously submitted for B. W. Medal only as the Egypt service was overlooked) from September 1917 to 24th April 1919 and was awarded the British War and Victory medals. The victory medal was issued in October 1922 and she was recorded on the roll also as Mrs Shelley. She had married in early 1920 to Kew Edwin Shelley. In the 1922 electoral register, they were living at 4 Ruvigny Mansions Putney. After that she cannot be traced.
Alfred Lyon Hill was baptised on 17th May 1893 in the Bath Christchurch Church of England Church at Somerset. In the 1911 census he was a boarder at 13 Lee Park, Blackheath, Lee and was a civil service student. He served in WW1, with the University of London Student Record showing “HILL, Alfred Lyon; Lt. Indian Army. Mentioned in Despatches. Military Cross. (Wounded).” The London Gazette has an entry for Alfred Lyon Hill, dated 4th December 1914 under “Infantry Branch” to be a Second Lieutenant to the Indian Army Reserve of Officers. Another entry on 24th July 1917 was for Alfred Lyon Hill MC to be a Lieutenant from 2nd Lieutenant, dated 27th November 1915. The Edinburgh Gazette of 18th April 1916 has an entry for Second Lieutenant Alfred Lyon Hill, Indian Army Reserve of Officers, attached 90th Punjabis was awarded the Military Cross. In the London Gazette he is entered on 15th February 1918 in the Indian Army Reserve of Officers as a Lieutenant to be a temporary Captain dated from 1st April 1917. The London Gazette of 25th July 1941 has an entry for “Alfred Lyon Hill, O.B.E. M. C., 7th May 1941” for an appointment made for an emergency commission to be a 2nd Lieutenant. On 10th December 1926 he left London on the Kaisar-I-Hind for Bombay. His occupation was listed as planting, he was 33 years old and he intended to reside in India. Castlenau Barnes was given as his last British address. He died on 2nd May 1966, with his address listed in his probate as Crossways Cottage Bagborough Taunton. Probate went to “Lloyds Bank Limited and Hugh Alan Harvey wing commander R.A.F.” of over £50000.
Philip’s medals are the Queens South Africa medal with Transvaal, Orange Free State and Cape Colony clasps, Kings South Africa medal with South Africa 1901 and 1902 clasps, 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals. The MiD emblem is an error.
The museum also has his Memorial Plaque.
This is an expended bullet from Gallipoli that represents that he was killed.
ANZAC Biographies
On our website you will find the biographical details of ANZAC (as well as British) servicemen & women whose medals or other memorabilia form part of the collection on display at the Maryborough Military & Colonial Museum, Maryborough, Queensland, Australia.