JOHN BENJAMIN HILL
Born: 29th March 1884, Stoke, Ipswich.
Baptised: 8th June 1884, at St. Mary Stoke Church, Ipswich – family home at 3, Rapier Street, Ipswich.
Died: 10th September 1918; age 34; KiA – by a shell.
Also killed by the shell were Bernard Luxford and Frederick Carr.
Residence: 26, Cowell Street, Ipswich.
Employed: by Ransomes & Rapier Ltd, Ipswich.
Enlistment Location: Ipswich.
Date of Entry Therein: 19th August 1914.
Rank: Driver; Service Number: 14379
Regiment: Royal Field Artillery, 129th Battery, 42nd Brigade.
Medals Awarded: Victory, British War & 1914 Star + Clasp.
On the 21st October 1920, the three bodies were discovered at Vaulx Churchyard Extension (the CWGC records that “The remains of these three soldiers were very badly smashed up”), exhumed, identified by a collective regimental cross marking their grave, and clothing before reburial at Vaulx Hill Cemetery.
Grave Reference:
I.J.12.
Pas de Calais,
France.
BERNARD LUXFORD was ranked a Battery Sergeant Major, 56943, for the Royal Field Artillery, 129th Battery. He was 27 years of age, and the son of William Peter Luxford and Mary Ann Luxford (nee Isaac), of Woodbine Cottage, Forest Row, East Sussex.
FREDERICK CARR was born in Salford, Lancashire. He was ranked a Driver, 10342 for the Royal Field Artillery, 129th Battery. He was 38 years of age, and the son of Richard Carr and Mary Ann Carr (nee Whitworth), of Milnthorpe Street, Pendleton, Lancashire. Frederick was married to Mary Elizabeth Carr (nee Bridges) and was the father of three young children. Mary and Frederick made their family home at Baronscourt, Newtownstewart, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland.
CENSUS
1891 3, Rapier Street, Ipswich.
John was 7 years old and living with his parents and siblings.
Benjamin Hill, 37, a Labourer – Chemical Works, born Bramford, Suffolk.
Emily Hill (nee Carr), 34, born Bramford.
Gertrude Mabel Hill, 13, born Bramford.
Arthur Albert Hill, 11, born Ipswich.
Elizabeth Alice Hill, 5, born Ipswich.
Ethel Emily Hill, 4, born Ipswich.
Edgar Hill, 1, born Ipswich.
1901 The Barracks, Weedon Bec, Northamptonshire.
John was 18 years old, a Soldier ranked a Driver for the Royal Field Artillery.
1911 60, Finchley Road, Ipswich.
John was 28 years old, a Driller – Iron Works – Crane Makers. He was married and head of the household.
Rose, 41.
Rose’s children
Albert Denny, 16, a Point’s Boy – Electric Trams – Ipswich Borough Council, born St. Clement’s, Ipswich.
William Dennis Denny, 10, born St. Michael’s, Ipswich.
Violet Rhoda Denny, 8, born St. Michael’s, Ipswich.
John’s father, Benjamin Hill, died on the 4th October 1891, at 3, Rapier Street, Ipswich. On the 5th October 1891, John’s sister, Ethel Emily Hill, died at 3, Rapier Street. A funeral service was held at St. Mary Stoke Church for Benjamin and Ethel on the 8th October.
On the 13th October 1891, John’s sister, Gertude Mary Hill, died at 3, Rapier Street, Ipswich and a funeral service was held on the 16th October at St. Mary Stoke Church.
In 1910, Ipswich, John married Rose Ann Denny (nee Nunn), born September 1869, Gosbeck, Suffolk – daughter of Elijah Nunn, a labourer, and Eliza Nunn (nee Nunn), of Suffolk.
Rose and John had one daughter:
May Elizabeth Hill, born May 1911, Ipswich.
Rose was first married in July 1890, at St. Margaret’s Church, Ipswich, to Charles William Denny, a stonemason, born 1866, Ipswich. Rose and Charles had five children. Charles Denny died on the 15th March 1908, at his home, 60, Finchley Road, Ipswich.
Soldiers’ Effects to Rose A. Hill – widow.
Rose’s son, CHARLES WILLIAM DENNY, is also remembered on the memorial at Christchurch Park.
John is also remembered on the Ransomes & Rapier Ltd. war memorial, Bourne Park, Ipswich, and at St. Mary at Stoke Church, Ipswich.
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