Larkhall War Memorial - HILL, Wm DCM MM Sgt 240101 5th SRs

William HILL, D.C.M., M.M.,

Sergeant 240101

5/6th Battalion

The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)

Cap Badge of the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)

Sgt WILLIAM HILL, DCM, MM, shot down an enemy aeroplance on 26th September, 1917.

Gravestone of Lance Serjt WILLIAM HILL, D.C.M., M.M., who is buried at INCHY COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, Nord, France, Grave Reference B.25.

WILLIAM HILL, D.C.M., M.M., Sergeant 240101, 5/6th Bn Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), is named on WW1 Panel 6 of the Larkhall War Memorial.
He is listed under Royal Field Artillery as "Sergt. Wm. Hill, D.C.M.".
I cannot find any trace of him serving in the Royal Field Artillery. This may have been an error by his family who thought that as he was a Lewis Gunner he was part of the Royal Field Artillery.

WILLIAM MARTIN HILL's parents were John Hill (born at Newarthill), a coal miner, and Agnes Martin (born at 57 Graham Street, Airdrie, on 10th May 1866), who were married at 26 Allanton Rows, Ferniegair, Parish of Hamilton, on 26th June 1891.
His paternal grandparents were John Hill and Grace Neilson, who were married at Shotts Parish on 27th October, 1844.
His maternal grandparents were William Martin and Sarah Jarvie, who were married at Airdrie on 22nd June, 1853.

The Allanton Mine was in Ferniegair, Parish of Hamilton, and owned by William Barr and Sons Ltd.
Allanton Rows had:
a) 10 1-room houses at a rent of £5/4/-.
b) 10 2-room houses at a rent of £6/10/-.
(This information came from The Scottish Mining website)

WILLIAM MARTIN HILL, D.C.M., M.M., was born at 26 Allanton Rows, Ferniegair, Parish of Hamilton, on 4th July, 1891.

The 1901 LARKHALL Census was taken on 31st Mar 1901.

The family are listed at Walker's Building, Raploch Street, as follows:
John Hill, Head, 47, Coal Miner, b Newarthill.
Agnes Hill, Wife, 35, b Airdrie.
John Hill, Son, 12, Scholar, b Hamilton.
WILLIAM HILL, Son 10, Scholar, b Hamilton.
Alexander Hill, Son, 8, Scholar, b Hamilton.
Elizabeth Hill, Daughter, 4, b Hamilton.
Robert Hill, Son, 1, b Larkhall.

The 1911 LARKHALL Census was taken on 2nd Apr 1911.
The family are listed at 69 London Street, as follows:
John Hill, Head, 51, Coal Miner, b New Monkland.
Agnes Hill, Wife, 45, b Old Monkland.
John Hill, Son, 22, Coal Miner, b New Monkland.
WILLIAM HILL, Son 20, Coal Miner, b New Monkland.
Alexander Hill, Son, 18, Coal Miner, b New Monkland.
Elizabeth Hill, Daughter, 13, Scholar, b New Monkland.
Robert Hill, Son, 11, Scholar, b Larkhall.
Malcolm Hill, Son, 10, Scholar, b Larkhall.
Crawford Hill, Son, 6, Scholar, b Larkhall.

WILLIAM HILL enlisted at Larkhall and joined the 6th Bn Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) as Pte 1495.
He went to France on 20th March, 1915.

At the Battle of FESTUBERT on 15th and 16th June, 1915, the 6th Battalion went into the trenches with 701 Other Ranks, and at the Roll Call after the Battle, 357 Other Ranks answered the Roll Call. A loss of 344 Other Ranks.

On Friday, 26th May, 1916, the 6th Battalion received orders to amalgamate with the 5th Battalion, and became the 5/6th Battalion.

On Saturday, 27th May, 1916, the 5th Battalion wired, that the number of Men required to bring them up to strength was 66 and 12 Officers.

The remaining Officers and Men were posted to other Regiments and Battalions as reinforcements.

In the War Diary of the 5th Bn Cameronians (Scottish Rifles):
a) 26th September, 1917;
"About 4.45pm No 240101 Rfm W. HILL, 'D' Company, brought down an enemy aeroplane by Lewis Gun fire. The aeroplane had been machine-gunning our position". (see attached)
b) 20th October, 1917;
"The Corps Commander has awarded the following decorations to the undermentioned N.C.Os and men: -".
Under the heading 'MILITARY MEDAL' No 240101 Rfn W. HILL is listed with 12 others.
An addition description shows: "These medals were given for distinguished conduct on 26th/27th September, 1917". (see attached pages for 25th, 26th and 27th September, 1917).

In The London Gazette, No 30431, dated Monday, 17th December, 1917, WILLIAM HILL, Private 240101, Sco. Rif. (Larkhall) is shown as being awarded the Military Medal. (see attached)

In The London Gazette, No 30879, dated Tuesday, 3rd September, 1918, as Corporal 240101, WILLIAM HILL, M.M., Sco. Rif. (Larkhall) was awarded The Distinguished Conduct Medal.
The Citation reads:
"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He handled his Lewis gun section with great skill and ability, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. He scattered an enemy party with Lewis gun and rifle fire. Next day he directed his Lewis gun on an enemy aeroplane, causing it to crash down in flames behind the enemy lines. He did very fine work". (see attached)

WILLIAM HILL, D.C.M., M.M., was reported as 'Died-of-Wounds' on 23rd October, 1918, age 27.

The Battalion War Diary of 23rd October, 1918, describes their operations on that day. (see attached)
The Diary entry states:
"The number of Officer casualties during the advance were 1 Killed and 6 Wounded, and 20 Other Ranks Killed and 128 Other Ranks Wounded.".
WILLIAM HILL is probably included in those "128 Other Ranks Wounded".
Transcriptions of the relevant pages from the Battalion War Diary are available.

The War Diary describes the journey of the Battalion throughout the month of October, 1918, as follows:
1st: S.E. of Villers-Guislain.
2nd: Honnecourt Wood.
3rd-04th: Canal crossings at Honnecourt.
5th: Franque Wood; La Terrierre; Rancourt Farm; Bonabus Farm; Hindenburg Line.
6th: same as 5th October.
7th: remained in Support Line of Bois-de-Mortho - Aubencheul - Aux-Bois.
8th: Mois-de-Mortho; Villers-Outreaux; Malincourt; Le Catelet - Nauroy Line.
9th: Aubencheul; Aux-Bois; Villers-Outreaux; Malincourt; Clary.
10th: Bertry.
11th: Bertry.
12th-21th: Malincourt; Villers-Outreaux; Troisvilles.
22nd: Selle River; Montay; Neuvilly; Richemont; Croisette; Quarry NW of Railway.
23rd: Quarry NW of Railway; Slaughter House; Vendegies Wood.

It was during this attack that I believe that WILLIAM HILL was wounded and Died of Wounds later that day.

The movement of the Battalion was in a North-Easterly direction.
Attached is a section of a Military Map showing the places mentioned in the Battalion War Diary, and showing the north-easterly direction of the Battalion during the month.

The Scottish National War Memorial (SNWM) at Edinburgh Castle shows that WILLIAM HILL, D.C.M., M.M., died on 23rd October, 1918.

The entry in 'Soldiers Died in the Great War' (SDGW) shows that WILLIAM HILL, DCM, MM, enlisted at Larkhall and was living in Larkhall.

The Medal Rolls Index Card (MIC) for WILLIAM HILL, D.C.M., M.M., shows that he was awarded The 1914-15 Star Medal, The Victory Medal and The British War Medal.

The DCM Medal Rolls Index Card for WILLIAM HILL, M.M., shows that he was awarded the D.C.M. on 3rd September, 1918.

The "Soldier's Effects" record shows that his family (father, brothers and sisters) received his Outstanding Pay of £37/10/10, an award of £20/-/- (assumed for his bravery and the award of the D.C.M.) and a War Gratuity of £20/10/-.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) entry for WILLIAM HILL, D.C.M., M.M., shows that he is buried at INCHY COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, Nord, France, Grave Reference B.25.
There are 53 Casualties of WW1 buried at INCHY COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION.

Walter Smith sent me a clipping taken from The Hamilton Advertiser dated 16th November, 1918.
It reads:
"HILL - Died of wounds received in action in France, on the 24th October, Sergeant William Hill, Scottish Rifles, D.C.M. and M.M., aged 27 years, second son of Mr and Mrs John Hill, 38 Raploch Street, Larkhall.
'No mother's care did him attend,
Nor o'er him did a father bend;
No sister by to shed a tear,
No brother by his words to hear.

Just when his life was brightest,
Just when his days were best,
He was called from a world of sorrow
Into eternal rest.

Sleep on, dear Willie, in a for-off grave
That we may never see;
But as long as life and memory last
We will remember thee.'

- Inserted by his sorrowing father and mother, sisters and brothers.

HILL - Died of wounds received in action in France, on the 24th October, Sergeant William Hill, Scottish Rifles, D.C.M. and M.M., aged 27 years, second son of Mr and Mrs John Hill, 38 Raploch Street, Larkhall.
'No loving hand clasped yours that day,
No home voice said good-bye,
You fell in battle's dread affray,
But God Himself was nigh.

His King and country called him,
The call was not in vain;
On Britain's roll of honour
You'll find the hero's name'

- Inserted by his uncle and aunt, Mr and Mrs McLean, 151 Raploch Street, Larkhall".

In The Scotsman newspaper, dated 19th July, 1919, page 1, the attached newspaper clipping names 'Corpl Wm Hill; Sergt Robert Lee; Corpl David Robertson Reid; and Corpl Adam Weir' who were recipients of the Distinguished Conduct Medal (D.C.M.).
It reads:
"The Executive Committee of the Larkhall War Committee met in the Drill Hall, Larkhall, last night to honour recipients of the Distinguished Conduct Medal. County Councillor Lambie, J.P., presided, and presented gold watches and alberts with sums of money to Corpl. Wm. Hill, 5/6th Scottish Rifles, for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty and in bringing down an enemy aeroplane; Sergt. Robert Lee, 12th R.S.F., for capturing two machine guns and 17 prisoners on 2nd November last; Corpl. David Robertson Reid, 1/6th Royal Highlanders, for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in outflanking two enemy machine guns which were holding up the advance; and Corpl. Adam Weir, 9th S.R., who held up the enemy on our retirement in March, 1918, and inflicted many casualtes on them with his machine gun. All the recipients received the present in person except Corpl. Hill, who was killed on 24th October, 1918. His father received the gifts instead".

Lest We Forget!

Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC)
Name:	HILL, W
Rank:	Lance Serjeant
Service No:	240101
Date of Death:	23rd October, 1918
Regiment/Service:	Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), 5th/6th Bn.
Awards:	D.C.M., M.M.
Grave Reference:	B. 25.
Cemetery:	INCHY COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION
Additional Info:	Son of Mr J. Hill, of 38 Raploch St., Larkhall, Lanarkshire.

Scottish National War Memorial (SNWM)
Surname:	HILL
Forename:	William
Rank:	Pte
Service Number:	240101
Decoration:	DCM MM
Place of Birth:	Larkhall Lanarkshire
Date of Death:	23rd October, 1918
Theatre of Death:	France
Cause of Death:	Died of Wounds
SNWM Roll:	THE CAMERONIANS (SCOTTISH RIFLES)
Unit Name:	In or attached to THE CAMERONIANS
Other Detail:	6th Bn.

PRESENTATION TO LARKHALL HEROES

The men who had won the D.C.M., were each presented recently with a gold watch and a well-filled purse. Left to Right - Sgt. R. Lee, 12th R.S.F.; Sgt F. McLuckie, 8th Royal Scots; Corporal A. Weir, 9th Royal Scots; Sgt. J. McLaughlin, 2nd K.O.S.B.; Corporal D. Reid, 1/6th Royal Highlanders. Inset - Sgt. W. Hill, Scottish Rifles (left), and Pte. W. Laird, 6th Scottish Rifles (right), both of whom made the supreme sacrifice.

The Hamilton Advertiser, 16th November, 1918.

In The Scotsman newspaper, dated 19th July, 1919, page 1, the attached newspaper clipping names 'Corpl Wm Hill; Sergt Robert Lee; Corpl David Robertson Reid; and Corpl Adam Weir' who were recipients of the Distinguished Conduct Medal (D.C.M.).
It reads:
"The Executive Committee of the Larkhall War Committee met in the Drill Hall, Larkhall, last night to honour recipients of the Distinguished Conduct Medal. County Councillor Lambie, J.P., presided, and presented gold watches and alberts with sums of money to Corpl. Wm. Hill, 5/6th Scottish Rifles, for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty and in bringing down an enemy aeroplane; Sergt. Robert Lee, 12th R.S.F., for capturing two machine guns and 17 prisoners on 2nd November last; Corpl. David Robertson Reid, 1/6th Royal Highlanders, for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in outflanking two enemy machine guns which were holding up the advance; and Corpl. Adam Weir, 9th S.R., who held up the enemy on our retirement in March, 1918, and inflicted many casualtes on them with his machine gun. All the recipients received the present in person except Corpl. Hill, who was killed on 24th October, 1918. His father received the gifts instead".

Medal Rolls Index Card (MIC) showing the award of the 1914-15 Star Medal; The Victory Medal; and the British War Medal.

Medal Rolls Index Card (MIC) for the award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal (D.C.M.)

Citation for the award of the D.C.M.

War Diary describes the journey of the Battalion in a north-easterly direction throughout the month of October, 1918.

CWGC Commemoration Certificate

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