ALBERT (BERT) FREDERICK HILL
25 December 1884 – 4 October 1917
Regimental No. 30224
Albert Frederick HILL (registered as Frederick Albert) but known as Bert, was born in Wellington on 25 December 1884, son of Walter and Charlotte (nee WEBB) HILL who had married in 1882. 11 months, later in November 1885, Charlotte died, aged only 24 years, and was buried in Bolton Street Cemetery, Wellington.
A mere 7 months later, on 19 June 1886, Walter married Emily Elizabeth (nee BENTLEY).
Walter and Emily then set about producing children, and during the next 11 years they produced eight, three of whom died as infants and one as a young child. One of the infants, Walter John William (born and died 1891) was buried with Charlotte in Bolton Street Cemetery. Once Karori Cemetery began operating in February 1892 a family plot was purchased, and sadly Herbert Ernest (born and died 1893), then Doris Violet (born and died 1895) became occupants. In 1903 5-year old Myrtle Ivy joined them.
Bert ended up with four living half siblings - Ann May (May) born 1 May 1887, Emily Ellen/Helen (Minnie) born 7 July 1889, Walter John born 27 April 1903 and Ivy Amelia Gwendoline born 14 August 1907.
Walter was a brick maker and may not have made much money as the family moved to a new address frequently, though remaining within the Te Aro flats/Brooklyn areas. Bert seems to have been farmed out to live somewhere in the Manawatu, as his name does not appear on school records at Vogeltown, Mt Cook, or Te Aro schools until 1896 when he is recorded as attending Vogeltown School. In September 1896 the family moved to Ohiro Road, Brooklyn and all the children attended Vogeltown School, Bert having joined them from Palmerston North according to school records. Bert left Vogeltown School having passed the Fourth Educational Standard. In 1898 family when the family moved to Wallace Street the children (except Bert) went to Te Aro school, but by early 1899 they were living in Washington Avenue, Brooklyn, and the children again attended Vogeltown School. Later in 1899 the family moved further afield, to Palmerston North, but by 1902 they had returned to Wellington and the younger children attended Vogeltown School again.
By 1911, and again in 1914 Bert was a bush contractor at Te Horo, and was recorded on the Otaki Electoral Rolls. He was a farm hand working for M.F. Bourke at Te Horo when he enlisted at Otaki on 30 June 1916. He attested and had his medical examination at Featherston on 22 August 1916. His apparent age was 32 years 6 months; he was 5 feet 7½ inches tall, weighed 10 stone; his chest minimum was 36½ and maximum 34½ (sic); he had dark complexion, grey eyes and dark brown hair. His religious profession was Church of England. At his medical examination his eyesight was good, as was his hearing in both ears. His colour vision was normal and his limbs, movement of joints, chest well formed, heart and lungs normal and he stated he had no illnesses. He was free from hernia, varicocele, varicose veins, haemorrhoids, inveterate or contagious skin disease and there was a distinct mark of vaccination. He was deemed to be fit in body and mental health and free from any physical defect likely to interfere with the efficient performance of his duties.
Bert chose to name his sister Minnie (Emily Ellen/Helen, born 1889) as his next of kin when he attested. Minnie had been married to George INGMIRE since 1909, and they lived at 25 Waripori Street, Berhampore at the time.
Bert was given the regimental number 30221 in F Company of the 3rd Battalion Canterbury Regiment. On 2nd and 17th October while he was in training at Featherston, he received two inoculations. From Featherston he embarked at Wellington for England aboard HMNZT No.72 ‘Athenic’ on 30 December 1916 in the 20th Reinforcements NZEF 2nd draft. He was vaccinated while on board on 3 January 1917.
The “Athenic” berthed at Devonport, Plymouth, on 3 March 1917 and from there the troops were marched into camp at Sling for training with 2nd Canterbury Company. He was there a month before marching out to Codford, Wiltshire with the Canterbury 4th Reserve Battalion. He was then taken on strength with the 3rd Battalion Canterbury Regiment, 4th New Zealand Infantry Battalion (B Company) and posted to the 13th Company.
Finally, on 28 May 1917 Bert embarked for France where he was to see action with the Canterbury Regiment. He would have been amongst the infantrymen training behind the lines in preparation for the attack on Messines Ridge to be launched on 7 June:
“At 0310 hours on 7 June 1917, the pre-dawn gloom on the Western Front was shattered by the 'pillars of fire' - the rapid detonation of 19 huge mines, secreted in tunnels under the German lines and containing 450 tonnes of explosives. Admitted by the Germans to be a 'masterstroke', the devastating blasts caused 10,000 soldiers to later be posted simply as 'missing'. Launching a pre-planned attack into the carnage, supported by tanks and a devastating artillery barrage, the British took the strategic objective of Messines Ridge within hours.”
https://books.google.co.nz/books/about/Messines_1917.html?id=B9JJvgAACAAJ&redir_esc=y&hl=en
The New Zealand Division, which was deeply involved in the fighting, was eventually relieved and although Bert had survived, there were 3,700 casualties, including 700 dead.
For three months after Messines, Bert continued to be deployed to work parties and to periods on the front line again, as well as periods of rest and further training, all in preparation for the planned attack on the Ypres salient, and the village of Passchendaele on the border of Belgium and France. The first Battle of Passchendaele on 4 October was deemed successful and a second battle was planned for the 12th. The second was poorly planned and executed and resulted in the highest number of deaths in action for NZ troops on one day in WW1. Bert was amongst those who died
On 12 October 1917 Bert was reported as missing in the field. His death was not confirmed until a Court of Enquiry was held on 26 October 1917. The finding of the Court was that Bert had been killed in action in the field at Passchendaele in Belgium on 4th October, his body having been identified by a piece of ground sheet. A death card for him was issued on 22 November 1917.
Bert was buried in Bedford House Cemetery, 2.5 kilometres south of Ieper[1] town centre in Belgium. He is one of only two men from the Canterbury Regiment in Bedford House Cemetery, amongst 18 men from New Zealand who died during 1917 and 1918 amongst the 2,194 British and Commonwealth casualties buried in this cemetery. Bert’s stone is engraved with a cross in enclosure number 4, XV H.27.
Bert’s plaque and scroll were sent to his father at 35 Taft Street, Brooklyn in 1921. His British and Victory medals were sent to his sister, Minnie, at 254 Riddiford Street, Newtown in 1924.
For three years, on the anniversary of Bert’s death, his sister Minnie and brother in law George inserted In Memoriam notices for him in the local daily nespaper:
Evening Post 4 October 1918:
HILL In loving memory of my dear brother, Pte Albert Frederick (Bert) Hill who was killed in action in France, 4 October 1917.
A lonely grave in a far-off land,
A grave we may never see,
But while life and memory last,
We will remember thee.
Inserted by his loving sister and brother in law, M. and G. Ingmire.
Evening Post 4 October 1919:
HILL In loving memory of my dear brother, Pte Albert Frederick (Bert) Hill who was killed in action in France, 4 October 1917.
Far away from those who loved him,
Comrades laid him gently to rest
In a far away grave he is sleeping,
One of God’s brightest and best.
Inserted by his loving sister and brother in law, M. and G. Ingmire
Evening Post 4 October 1920:
In loving memory of my dear brother, Pte Albert Frederick (Bert) Hill who was killed in action in France, 4 October 1917.
His King and Country called him,
His life he freely gave;
But ‘tis hard to think we cannot place
A flower on his lonely grave.
Bert’s brother-in-law, George Ingmire, was also drafted in 1917. Minnie and George Ingmire separated in May 1928.
Albert’s step-mother Emily died 16 April 1939, aged 71 years, and his father Walter died three months later on 16 July 1939, aged 79 years. They were buried together with their infant children in the family plot in the Public section of Karori Cemetery, not far from the crematorium chapel.
Research undertaken by Ann Walker
[1] Ypres
25 December 1884 – 4 October 1917
Regimental No. 30224
Albert Frederick HILL (registered as Frederick Albert) but known as Bert, was born in Wellington on 25 December 1884, son of Walter and Charlotte (nee WEBB) HILL who had married in 1882. 11 months, later in November 1885, Charlotte died, aged only 24 years, and was buried in Bolton Street Cemetery, Wellington.
A mere 7 months later, on 19 June 1886, Walter married Emily Elizabeth (nee BENTLEY).
Walter and Emily then set about producing children, and during the next 11 years they produced eight, three of whom died as infants and one as a young child. One of the infants, Walter John William (born and died 1891) was buried with Charlotte in Bolton Street Cemetery. Once Karori Cemetery began operating in February 1892 a family plot was purchased, and sadly Herbert Ernest (born and died 1893), then Doris Violet (born and died 1895) became occupants. In 1903 5-year old Myrtle Ivy joined them.
Bert ended up with four living half siblings - Ann May (May) born 1 May 1887, Emily Ellen/Helen (Minnie) born 7 July 1889, Walter John born 27 April 1903 and Ivy Amelia Gwendoline born 14 August 1907.
Walter was a brick maker and may not have made much money as the family moved to a new address frequently, though remaining within the Te Aro flats/Brooklyn areas. Bert seems to have been farmed out to live somewhere in the Manawatu, as his name does not appear on school records at Vogeltown, Mt Cook, or Te Aro schools until 1896 when he is recorded as attending Vogeltown School. In September 1896 the family moved to Ohiro Road, Brooklyn and all the children attended Vogeltown School, Bert having joined them from Palmerston North according to school records. Bert left Vogeltown School having passed the Fourth Educational Standard. In 1898 family when the family moved to Wallace Street the children (except Bert) went to Te Aro school, but by early 1899 they were living in Washington Avenue, Brooklyn, and the children again attended Vogeltown School. Later in 1899 the family moved further afield, to Palmerston North, but by 1902 they had returned to Wellington and the younger children attended Vogeltown School again.
By 1911, and again in 1914 Bert was a bush contractor at Te Horo, and was recorded on the Otaki Electoral Rolls. He was a farm hand working for M.F. Bourke at Te Horo when he enlisted at Otaki on 30 June 1916. He attested and had his medical examination at Featherston on 22 August 1916. His apparent age was 32 years 6 months; he was 5 feet 7½ inches tall, weighed 10 stone; his chest minimum was 36½ and maximum 34½ (sic); he had dark complexion, grey eyes and dark brown hair. His religious profession was Church of England. At his medical examination his eyesight was good, as was his hearing in both ears. His colour vision was normal and his limbs, movement of joints, chest well formed, heart and lungs normal and he stated he had no illnesses. He was free from hernia, varicocele, varicose veins, haemorrhoids, inveterate or contagious skin disease and there was a distinct mark of vaccination. He was deemed to be fit in body and mental health and free from any physical defect likely to interfere with the efficient performance of his duties.
Bert chose to name his sister Minnie (Emily Ellen/Helen, born 1889) as his next of kin when he attested. Minnie had been married to George INGMIRE since 1909, and they lived at 25 Waripori Street, Berhampore at the time.
Bert was given the regimental number 30221 in F Company of the 3rd Battalion Canterbury Regiment. On 2nd and 17th October while he was in training at Featherston, he received two inoculations. From Featherston he embarked at Wellington for England aboard HMNZT No.72 ‘Athenic’ on 30 December 1916 in the 20th Reinforcements NZEF 2nd draft. He was vaccinated while on board on 3 January 1917.
The “Athenic” berthed at Devonport, Plymouth, on 3 March 1917 and from there the troops were marched into camp at Sling for training with 2nd Canterbury Company. He was there a month before marching out to Codford, Wiltshire with the Canterbury 4th Reserve Battalion. He was then taken on strength with the 3rd Battalion Canterbury Regiment, 4th New Zealand Infantry Battalion (B Company) and posted to the 13th Company.
Finally, on 28 May 1917 Bert embarked for France where he was to see action with the Canterbury Regiment. He would have been amongst the infantrymen training behind the lines in preparation for the attack on Messines Ridge to be launched on 7 June:
“At 0310 hours on 7 June 1917, the pre-dawn gloom on the Western Front was shattered by the 'pillars of fire' - the rapid detonation of 19 huge mines, secreted in tunnels under the German lines and containing 450 tonnes of explosives. Admitted by the Germans to be a 'masterstroke', the devastating blasts caused 10,000 soldiers to later be posted simply as 'missing'. Launching a pre-planned attack into the carnage, supported by tanks and a devastating artillery barrage, the British took the strategic objective of Messines Ridge within hours.”
https://books.google.co.nz/books/about/Messines_1917.html?id=B9JJvgAACAAJ&redir_esc=y&hl=en
The New Zealand Division, which was deeply involved in the fighting, was eventually relieved and although Bert had survived, there were 3,700 casualties, including 700 dead.
For three months after Messines, Bert continued to be deployed to work parties and to periods on the front line again, as well as periods of rest and further training, all in preparation for the planned attack on the Ypres salient, and the village of Passchendaele on the border of Belgium and France. The first Battle of Passchendaele on 4 October was deemed successful and a second battle was planned for the 12th. The second was poorly planned and executed and resulted in the highest number of deaths in action for NZ troops on one day in WW1. Bert was amongst those who died
On 12 October 1917 Bert was reported as missing in the field. His death was not confirmed until a Court of Enquiry was held on 26 October 1917. The finding of the Court was that Bert had been killed in action in the field at Passchendaele in Belgium on 4th October, his body having been identified by a piece of ground sheet. A death card for him was issued on 22 November 1917.
Bert was buried in Bedford House Cemetery, 2.5 kilometres south of Ieper[1] town centre in Belgium. He is one of only two men from the Canterbury Regiment in Bedford House Cemetery, amongst 18 men from New Zealand who died during 1917 and 1918 amongst the 2,194 British and Commonwealth casualties buried in this cemetery. Bert’s stone is engraved with a cross in enclosure number 4, XV H.27.
Bert’s plaque and scroll were sent to his father at 35 Taft Street, Brooklyn in 1921. His British and Victory medals were sent to his sister, Minnie, at 254 Riddiford Street, Newtown in 1924.
For three years, on the anniversary of Bert’s death, his sister Minnie and brother in law George inserted In Memoriam notices for him in the local daily nespaper:
Evening Post 4 October 1918:
HILL In loving memory of my dear brother, Pte Albert Frederick (Bert) Hill who was killed in action in France, 4 October 1917.
A lonely grave in a far-off land,
A grave we may never see,
But while life and memory last,
We will remember thee.
Inserted by his loving sister and brother in law, M. and G. Ingmire.
Evening Post 4 October 1919:
HILL In loving memory of my dear brother, Pte Albert Frederick (Bert) Hill who was killed in action in France, 4 October 1917.
Far away from those who loved him,
Comrades laid him gently to rest
In a far away grave he is sleeping,
One of God’s brightest and best.
Inserted by his loving sister and brother in law, M. and G. Ingmire
Evening Post 4 October 1920:
In loving memory of my dear brother, Pte Albert Frederick (Bert) Hill who was killed in action in France, 4 October 1917.
His King and Country called him,
His life he freely gave;
But ‘tis hard to think we cannot place
A flower on his lonely grave.
Bert’s brother-in-law, George Ingmire, was also drafted in 1917. Minnie and George Ingmire separated in May 1928.
Albert’s step-mother Emily died 16 April 1939, aged 71 years, and his father Walter died three months later on 16 July 1939, aged 79 years. They were buried together with their infant children in the family plot in the Public section of Karori Cemetery, not far from the crematorium chapel.
Research undertaken by Ann Walker
[1] Ypres