HILL Arthur Chamberlain

Arthur Chamberlain Hill served as Arthur Chamberlain in the Worcestershire Regiment. He was the son of Mrs Hill of 42 Worcester Street, Stourbridge, and he enlisted as a volunteer.  He joined the 3rd Battalion which during 1916 was involved in the capture of Vimy Ridge and the Battle of the Somme.  The battalion remained in reserve for the famous `first day’ of the Somme.  On 3rd July they moved into Aveluy Wood and received orders to attack the notorious Leipzig Salient protecting the approaches to Thiepval.  British forces had broken through the first line of German trenches but had failed against its complex fortifications.  Two companies of the Worcesters were ordered to fight their way up the steep wooded slopes of the river Ancre under intense artillery and heavy machine gun fire.  They did not succeed but held on for four days until 8th July.  It was amazing that they only lost 2 officers and 19 men killed.  One of these was Pte Arthur Hill who was killed on the 5th July by a German sniper in a trench captured from the Germans. He is also commemorated on the Methodist church memorial.

1901 Census
56 Birmingham St, St John’s, Stourbridge
James Hill, head, age 35, Railway platelayer, born Stourbridge, Worcestershire
Jessie Hill, wife, age 36, tailoress, born Liverpool
Arthur Hill, son, age 7, born Brettel Lane, Staffordshire

1911 Census
42 Worcester St, Stourbridge
James Hill, head, age 46, Licensed Hawker, born Stourbridge, Worcestershire
Jessie Hill, wife, age 46, married 21 years, 1 child, still living, born Liverpool
Arthur Chamberlain Hill, son, age 17, Loco Engine Cleaner G.W.R., born Brettel Lane, Staffordshire

Great Western Railway Roll of Honour:
A. Chamberlain Locomotive and Carriage Department/Stourbridge.

Source: The Great Western Railway in the First World War by Sandra Gittins, 2010.

Arthur Chamberlain Hill has no known grave, the photograph available shows his name as A. Chamberlain on Thiepval Memorial.