Matthew Ingram Hillary, born 1864 at Gateshead, County Durham, married in 1896 to Ann Isabella Barnes of Newcastle-upon-Tyne born 1869, together they had 5 surviving children. A labourer of 41, Rowland Road, Gateshead, he enlisted November 26th 1914 declaring he had served as a Territorial with the 3rd Durham Light Infantry for 15 years and that he was only 38 years of age, when he was actually 50 years old. Assigned as Private 292 to the 26th Service Battalion (Tyneside Irish) Northumberland Fusiliers, a Special Reserve Battalion, he joined his regiment at Newcastle-upon-Tyne before moving to Wolsingham in March 1915 where with the 24th/25th and 27th they formed the 103rd Brigade, 34th Division. Just as they were mobilised in August 1915 he was promoted to Acting Corporal, during final training at Salisbury Plain he again rose through the ranks and departed with his regiment January 10th 1916 to France with the rank of Lance Corporal. The regiment concentrated near St. Omer underwent additional training and trench familiarisation in preparation for the forthcoming Battles of the Somme. The now Sergeant Hillary saw action on the first day, July 1st at La Boisselle where the Division took heavy casualties, at Bazentin Ridge July 14th-17th, Pozieres Ridge July 23rd-September 3rd and the Battle of Flers-Coucelette 15th-22nd 1916.

By September 1916 having been reassigned as Corporal Hillary he had been sent back to England suffering from cardiac degeneration, they had also discovered that he was 53 years of age. Whilst on active service in the Armentieres sector, it was noted although, ” he was quite sturdy when he went to France in January 1915, served in France 10 months, towards the latter part of his time he began to complain of vague pain in the left side and shortness of breath. He was sent home because of age and disability.” It was concluded that the actual cause of the disease was aggravated by his active service. After a medical examination at the First Northern General Hospital, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, now known as the Royal Victoria Infermery, it was concluded that he be discharged, April 18th 1917, as permanently disabled, under Kings Regulations 392 (xvi) no longer physically fit for war service. Silver badge No. 157889, recipient of the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

Matthew Hillary died in Newcastle June Quarter 1919.

Matthew and Ann’s son Matthew Ephraim Oxon Burton Hillary also served during WW1 as Gunner 750246 Royal Field Artillery, he died at his home at 23, Rawlings Street, Gateshead, County Durham and was interred at Gateshead, Saltwell Cemetery grave reference 4.4255, leaving a widow Alice and 2 children. Awards unknown.

There is no CWGC entry for Matthew Ingram Hillary

Matthew Ingram Hillary is remembered at Bensham on B134.02