Albert Hill (VC)

For other people with the same name please, see Albert Hill (disambiguation).

Albert Hill
Memorial to Joseph Davies, Delville Wood
Born	24 May 1895 Hulme, Lancashire, England
Died	17 February 1971 Pawtucket, Rhode Island, United States
Buried	Highland Memorial Park, Johnston, Rhode Island
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	British Army
Years of service	1914–1919
Rank	Private
Unit	Royal Welsh Fusiliers
Battles/wars	First World War
Awards	Victoria Cross Croix de Guerre (France) Cross of St. George (Russia)

Albert Hill VC (24 May 1895 – 17 February 1971) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Early life

Born in Hulme, Manchester, one of ten children, he was a weak and frail child who after his schooling started work in a mill, before becoming an apprentice planker at Wilson Hat Manufacturers, in Wilton Street, Denton (Manchester).

First World War

Plaque at the Manchester Cenotaph

In August 1914 he joined the 10th Battalion, the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, as a private. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions at Delville Wood, part of the Battle of the Somme in 1916. His citation read:

For most conspicuous bravery. On 20 July 1916, during the Somme Offensive, when 15280 Private Hill's battalion had been deployed under heavy fire, for an attack on the enemy in Delville Wood, France, the order to charge was given and he dashed forward. He met two of the enemy and bayoneted them both. Later, he was sent by his platoon sergeant, Hugh Green, to contact the enemy, and found himself cut off, being surrounded by over twenty Germans. He threw two hand grenades, killing and wounding about eighteen and scattering the remainder. He then joined a sergeant of his company and helped him to fight the way back to the lines. When he got back, hearing that his Company Officer, Captain Scales, and a scout were lying out wounded, he went out and assisted to bring in the mortally wounded Officer, two other men bringing in the scout. Finally, he himself captured two of the enemy and brought them in as prisoners. His conduct throughout was magnificent.

He was also a holder of the French Croix de Guerre, the Russian Cross of St. George, and three campaign medals.

Later years

In February 1919 he returned to work in Wilson's factory, and married Doris Wilson a year later. They emigrated to the United States in 1923, where he found work as a building labourer, and had three daughters and a son. He attempted to enlist on the outbreak of the Second World War, but was advised to do defence work instead.

He died in Pawtucket, Rhode Island in 1971 and was buried with full military honours in Highland Memorial Park, Johnston, Rhode Island.

Hill Court in Wrexham is named in his honour.

The Medal

His Victoria Cross has disappeared in time through family hands. It is estimated to be worth £380,000 as of 2017. Albert Hill’s Victoria Cross was donated by the family and proudly is displayed in Carmarthen Castle, Wales

External links

• Albert Hill at Find a Grave