HILL Alfred Thomas

Awarded the Military Cross.

Alfred Thomas Hill enlisted as a Private in the 10th Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force as Thomas Hill, service no 500, on 24th August 1914 at Morphettville, South Australia. On his attestation paper he gave his place of birth as Birmingham, England, his age as 23 years, his occupation as a Miner and his next of kin as his father, Alfred Hill, Rednall House Farm, Rednal, Birmingham, England. Alfred was 5 feet 10 inches tall with a dark complexion, brown eyes and light brown hair.

On 24th August 1915 he was promoted to Corporal and then to Temporary Sergeant from 16th October 1915 to 7th December 1915 when he was promoted to Sergeant. He was Mentioned in Despatches by General Sir Ian Hamilton on 11th December 1915. On 5th August 1916 Alfred was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant. He was wounded in action on 22nd August 1916 when he was admitted to the 44th Casualty Clearing Station with gunshot wounds to his shoulder, arm and chest. Three days later on 25th August 1916 he was evacuated from Calais to a hospital in England on H.S. Newhaven. After recovering from his wounds, Alfred returned to France on 9th November 1916 and resumed duty from the seconded list on 14th November 1916. He was promoted to Lieutenant on 27th November 1916 and rejoined the 10th Battalion on 11th December 1916.

On 5th May 1917 he was again wounded in action with a gunshot wound to his eye which was recorded as being severe. After admission and treatment at the 3rd Casualty Clearing Station he was again evacuated to England, this time to the 3rd London General Hospital where he was admitted on 15th May 1917. Three days later, on 18th May 1917, he was awarded the Military Cross:
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He led his platoon forward in the face of very heavy hostile fire and was largely responsible for checking the enemies advance at a critical time.

Alfred returned to France in early August 1917 and just over a month later, on 20th September 1917, he was wounded once more, this time with a severe gunshot wound to his right leg and his left arm. Following treatment at the 7th Stationary Hospital, Boulogne, he was once again evacuated to England where he was admitted to the 3rd London General Hospital on 22nd September 1917. Once recovered, Alfred returned to France where he rejoined his unit on 26th November 1917.

Alfred died of wounds received in action as reported by his Commanding Officer:
Lieut. A.T. Hill, “M.C.” was killed by enemy grenade just outside of Coy Headquarters in line, Morris sector on night 30.5.18.  Death was instantaneous.
His body was brought out and interred in La Kreule Military Cemetery and a cross erected by the Battalion. Signed J.F. Sinclair. Captain for Major.
10th Battalion, A.I.F.

Australian Service Records Reference: Barcode 3011660 Series Accession No B2455 Location: Canberra
Accessed via:  https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/

The following information has been researched by Jeff Taylor:
Rednal Officer Dies of Wounds
“Mr and Mrs Alfred Hill, of Rednal House Farm, Rednal, have just sustained another sad bereavement. The War Office have notified them that their eldest son, Lieutenant Alfred Thomas Hill, M.C., died of wounds received in France in November 1916. The deceased officer went to Australia about seven years ago, and was afterwards joined by his brother. Whe war broke out both immediately responded to the Old Countries call and joined the Australian Imperial Force. They received their first baptism of fire at Gallipoli, being among the first to land, both receiving wounds.
Afterwards Lieutenant Hill was transferred to France, where he saw a lot of active service, being wounded a further three times. Obtaining his commission in July 1916, he was awarded the Military Cross and promoted to Lieutenant later in the year. In September 1917 it was announced that Lieutenant Hill had been hospitalised in London. He was receiving treatment to bullet wounds in his right leg and left arm, following fighting which took place on 20th September. For some time before his death Lieutenant Hill had been acting Captain to his Company, and doubtless would shortly have been promoted to that rank.”

London Gazette, 18th June 1917, page 6003
Military Cross
Lt Alfred Thomas Hill, Australian Infantry
“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He led his platoon forward in the face of very heavy hostile fire, and was largely responsible for checking the enemy’s advance at a critical time.”