William George Hill was the second son of Alexander and Ellen Hill. He was born in Cookstown on 20th March 1893. He was one of nine children. The family lived at Donaghey, Stewartstown, and Downs, The Sandholes. His father was a stone mason and farmer. William Hill enlisted in Belfast just after the start of the war. Corporal William George Hill was serving with the 14th Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles when he was killed in action at the Battle of Messines on Thursday 7th June 1917.
Further Information
William George Hill was the second son of Alexander and Ellen Hill. Alexander Hill and Ellen Ruddy were married on 28th May 1880 in the district of Cookstown.
William Hill was born in Cookstown on 20th March 1893. He was one of nine children, eight surviving.
Family: Alexander Hill, Ellen Hill, Alexander Hill (born 7th December 1882), Ellen Nellie Hill (born 26th October 1884), Catherine Kathleen Hill (born 15th September 1886), Sarah Hill (born 15th September 1888), Maud Hill (born 26th November 1890, died 12th September 1896, age 6), Augusta Hill (born about 1890), William Hill (born 20th March 1893), Samuel Hadden Hill (born 22nd April 1895), Robert James Hill (born 21st January 1898).
The 1901 census lists William as age 8, living with the family at house 7 in Donaghey, Stewartstown, County Tyrone. His father was a stone mason and farmer.
The 1911 census does not list William as living with the family at house 26 in Downs, The Sandholes, County Tyrone.
The 1911 census does list a William George Hill, age 18, a gardener, at house 3 in Derrynagrew, Bellanode, County Monaghan.
William Hill was a member of L.O.L. 126, Sherrygroom
William Hill enlisted in Belfast just after the start of the war.
Private William Hill survived many of the early engagements.
Corporal William George Hill was serving with the 14th Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles when he was killed in action at the Battle of Messines on Thursday 7th June 1917.
From the Tyrone Courier dated Thursday 28 June 1917:
Mr Alexander Hill, The Downs, Tullyhogue, has been notified that his second son, Corporal William G Hill, Irish Rifles, Belfast, was killed in action on 7th June 1917. The deceased was a member of LO.L. 126, Sherrygroom.
In his Will, William leaves all to his mother, who was living in the Downs, Tullyhogue, County Tyrone
Last Will and Testament of Corporal William G Hill dated 4th December 1916:
In the event of my death, I give the whole of my property and effects to my mother, Mrs Ellen Hill, The Downs, Tullyhogue, County Tyrone. William George Hill, Corporal 18th Royal Irish Rifles.
A second form of the Will exists, stating the same wishes.
Corporal W G Hill is buried in Spanbroekmolen Cemetery in Belgium.
After the war when the family were asked if they wanted an inscription engraved on his headstone they asked for the following:
“Greater love hath no man. That a man lay down his life for his friends”.
Inscriptions cost the family one old penny per letter.
The CWGC record Corporal William George Hill as the son of Alexander and Ellen Hill of The Doons, Tullyhogue, County Tyrone.
