Tower and Town, November 2025 (view the full edition)Editorial: Albert Hillier
Armistice Day November 11th 1918 saw nearly 11 million casualties on both sides. British and Commonwealth dead amounted to almost 1.1 million. Approximately two thirds of all First World War service records were destroyed in September 1940 by a German bombing raid that struck the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London. Percy Charles Albert Hillier (medals above) was born at Marlborough, in August 1875, and entered the Royal Navy as Probationary Assistant Engineer in June 1896. At sea regularly, he was promoted Engineer Lieutenant in June 1902 and to Engineer Lieutenant-Commander in June 1910. He served on the cruiser H.M.S. Challenger on the outbreak of hostilities in August 1914. He saw action in the Cameroons campaign in 1914, with the rounding-up of the Konigsberg in 1915. Hillier departed from HMS Challenger in May 1918 when he was transferred to the HMS Colombo, which was then being commissioned. He died of pneumonia on 30 October 1918. His life and many others like him, are part of the history of our local people, the history of our families and of our community. The stories of a few are mentioned here. Remember them all. Andrew Payne, Editor |