TSS Themistocles

Richard Hill born at Long Newton, County Durham in 1891, the eldest of 6 sons and 1 daughter of Joshua Hill also of Great Stainton born 1665 and his wife Cecily Patterson born 1868 at Bishopton, County Durham. His parents were married at Stockton, County Durham in 1898 settling at Long Newton near Stockton where Joshua farmed his own land. He died 1899-1900 in his early 30’s, Cecily moved to Sadberge and in order to support her children, the eldest 10, the youngest only 11 months, took in boarders, in 1901 living with them was John Furness (26) and Thomas Harrison (47) both agricultural labourers.

Cecily Hill nee Patterson died in 1905, Joshua’s widowed father William Hill stepped in, taking his grandchildren into his own home. William Hill lived at Long Hill, Stillington where he was a farmer. In 1911 living with him and his children Edward, Fred and Mary Isabella were Charles (16) who along with his grandfather and uncles worked the land while Allan (13) and David (11) were scholars, looking after the household was Mary Briggs (20) their servant.

Richard Hill was no longer living with his family in 1911, he was employed as 1st horseman on a farm at Great Smeaton, near Northallerton, Yorkshire where Samuel Atkinson was farm bailiff. Later that year he departed aboard the TSS Themistocles, of the Aberdeen Line, from London via Cape Town to Brisbane, Australia, August 14th 1911, aged 20 years of age, declaring he was a farmer and finally settled at Willbriggie, New South Wales.

On the outbreak of war with Germany Richard, rather than join the Australian forces, chose to return to England. He travelled from Willbriggie to Melbourne where he boarded the SS Orsova of the Orient Line P & O, departing Match 17th 1915 arriving at the port of London, April 25th 1915, where he took a train from Kings Cross to Darlington.

He enlisted at Darlington May 15th 1915 giving his next of kin as sister Mrs Turner of Westgarth Terrace, Darlington. Once attested he was assigned as Driver 104019 to the 227th Field Coy Royal Engineers and promoted to Lance Corporal August 20th 1915. He departed for the Western Front as of January 1916 transferred to the 234th (Stockton) Field Company, 39th Division. During his service overseas he lost his stripes and was demoted to Driver guilty of neglect of duty and placed on open arrest.

Whilst on active service, exact whereabouts unspecified, he was injured. Whilst in charge of wagons travelling with the 234th Field Company to a Royal Engineer dump, during the night of June 13th 1917 his horse shied at some passing Motor Transport vehicles falling with him causing injury to his left knee which the following day was swollen. The incident was investigated as to its authenticity, whether it was a genuine accident or a self-inflicted injury. His account of events was confirmed by Driver 104209 North and Driver 194237 Sanderson, both adding he was unable to ride his horse for the remainder of the journey and had to be put on the wagon.

The following day June 14th Richard was admitted to the 13th General Hospital at Boulogne and from there shipped back to England, June 21st 1917. During his time in England he was married at the parish church Darlington to Jane Ellen Shepherd, October 18th 1917. Less than a month later he was transferred to the Royal Engineer Tunnelling Company in reserve at Newark, November 27th 1917, where he stayed until December 19th before being transferred to the R.E.T.C. at Aldershot January 26th 1918.

He embarked again for the Western Front April 2nd 1918 joining the 124th Field Company, May 1st until Match 8th 1919 when he was despatched to England and transferred to Class Z, discharged with the obligation to return to active service if so required and allowed to return home to his wife at Nag’s Head Farm, Croft Road, Darlington, County Durham. Recipient of the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

In accordance with Army order May 1918 referring to the return of passage money to men who returned to the United Kingdom to join His Majesty’s Forces, Richard submitted a claim for reimbursement of his travel costs. Transfer from Willbriggie to Melbourne 2 pounds 2 shillings, steamer Melbourne-London 17 pounds and train Kings Cross-Darlington 19 shillings 4 pence. Once confirmation was received from the Orient Line of his passage from Australia he received all monies due to him.

Richard and Jane Ellen after his discharge remained in England and went on to have 3 children, Richard Jnr born December 25th 1919, Norah in 1922 and Doris in 1924.

Richard Hill and Jane Ellen Hill nee Shepherd died within 4 months of each other during September to December 1967 both aged 76 years and registered at Darlington, County Durham.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.