In Ridge Wood Military Cemetery, Belgium is the Commonwealth War Grave of 1590 Corporal Charles Hill serving with the 1st/6th Battalion Durham Light Infantry who died 14/06/1916.

Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-

Charles Hill born in 1892 at Consett, the only son of Alfred Hill, born 1868 at Consett, and Margaret McEleavey, born 1873 at Tow Law, both in County Durham. Alfred and his wife were married in the district of Bishop Auckland, County Durham in 1892.

Living at 44, Constance Street, Consett in 1901 Alfred was employed as a loader of steel angles. Unfortunately later that year his wife Margaret died aged 29 years when Charles was only 9 years of age.

He and Charles went to live with his widowed father Charles Hill at Midge Hole, Woodlands also in the household were Alfred’s sisters Ruth (29) and Charlotte (26). Grandfather Charles (75), Alfred (38) and Charles (18) worked as labourers at Consett Iron Company which made both iron and steel at their works in Consett.

Charles first enlisted in the Army April 15th 1912 at the age of 18 as Private 1590 Durham Light Infantry and posted to the Army Reserve at Scarborough from July 8th 1912 until August 11th 1913, when he re-enlisted September 27th 1913.

Upon the outbreak of war August 4th 1914 the following day Private Hill was posted to the 1/6th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, a battalion of the Territorial Forces at Hartlepool, then to Ravensworth Park and was at the Durham Light Infantry barracks at Newcastle upon Tyne by October 1914.

Training complete, he departed from Newcastle upon Tyne railway station bound for Southampton, April  18th1915 arriving in France at Boulogne on the 19th of April. Here the battalion, after being moved to Belgium, concentrated near Steenvoorde just as the German army attacked Ypres using poison gas for the first time. The battalion was rushed into battle as part of the 50th Northumbrian Division.

On May 14th 1915 they were attached to the 151st Brigade, 50th Northumbrian Division and saw action at the Battle of St. Julien, Frezenberg Ridge and at Bellewaarde Ridge. On June 3rd after suffering heavy losses, the 1/6th and 1/8th were merged to form the 6th/8th and was reduced to cadre strength by July 15th 1915 and transferred to the lines of communication. After receiving reinforcements in August they joined the 117th Brigade, 39th Division.

On January 25th 1916 Private Hill was transferred to the 151st Machine Gun Corps, and by February 6th he was appointed Acting Corporal.

On the 14th June 1916 1590 Acting Corporal Charles Hill was killed in action and interred at Ridge Wood Military Cemetery, West Vlaanderen, 5 kilometres from Ypres in Belgium, grave II. R. 10. He was 24 years old and single.

His father Alfred, as his sole beneficiary, received all monies due to him and his awards of the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to him at Sawmill Wood, Woodlands, Consett.

Although Charles Hill did not marry he had an illegitimate child born April 7th 1909 named Joseph Henry Thackeray. The child’s mother, Miss Lilian Thackwray, of 3, South View, Templeton, Consett, made a claim against Charles after his enlistment and was granted a stoppage of 4 pence a day as of November 1st 1915 for the child. This would be increased to 7 pence a day should Charles rise to the rank of Sergeant, as back payment, plus a further 3 shillings a week until the child reached the age of 13 years of age. Charles also had to pay costs in the sum of 16 shillings 6 pence to the Magistrates’ Court.

Joseph Henry’s uncle Walter Thomas Thackwray known as Tom, served during WW1 and perished in Belgium, April 3rd 1916.

Alfred Hill died aged 75 years of age in 1942 registered at Durham Central.

It should be noted that the CWGC lists Charles as a Corporal, his military record as Acting Corporal and the D.L.I. Book of Remembrance as Private.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.

The Consett Guardian 30/06/1916 reads:-
Consett Soldier Killed in Action
Died Nobly at his gun
Corporal Charles Hill of Woodlands near Consett, was killed in action, in France on June 14th. He was a member of the 6th D.L.I., 151st Brigade 50th Division, Machine Gun Company. The young man’s father Mr A. Hill of Sawmill Cottages Woodlands, has received the following letter with reference to the loss of his son

151st Brigade M.G. Co.
June 14th 1916
Dear Mr Hill It is with deepest feelings of regret that I write to inform you of your son Charlie’s death. He was killed this morning at 2.30am by a trench mortar which burst over his head.
I may say that his death was instantaneous and poor lad he suffered no pain at all. He died nobly at his gun like a true Briton. He was loved and respected by everyone, not only every one of the M.G. Coy. but by the men in his battalion too. He was brave to a fault and I can assure you that he had the respect and confidence of all his officers. It will be some consolation for you to know that he will receive a proper Christian burial. You know he and I have been comrades since we came out and were promoted together. I feel with you very keenly but as we must submit each to our own destiny, I hope God may grant you fortitude to bear under this heavy blow, – Believe me, I remain yours truly in deepest sympathy, Sergt F. Pinkney

The Rev B. Bernard Beard (Wesleyan Chaplain) 151st Infantry Brigade (Headquarters)BEF France writing June 15th says:
“Dear Mr Hill It is sad news I have to tell you. Possibly before this you have been notified by the War office that your son Corpl. C. Hill 1590. 6th D.L.I. attached to the 151st Brigade, Machine Gun Coy. was killed yesterday afternoon June 14th while on duty in the trenches. I write to confirm this news.
You have my full sympathy and the sympathy of the officers, NCO’s and men of his company in your great loss. One who was so greatly admired, trusted and loved by us here could not but be greatly loved and missed by his own people. His death will be rendered less and by the knowledge of the great sacrifice he made for the good of others “Greater love hath no man than this.” But you and all of us will feel his loss deeply. I pray, most sincerely, that in this your bereavement you may know much of the consolation of God.
I buried your son last night in the military cemetery, with that sure and certain hope which is part of our Christian faith. The map reference is street 28 NTC 5 9. You know I shall be happy to do your wish within my power. Yours very sincerely B Bernard Beard”

Sergt. Major Malpass D.L.I. 151st Brigade Machine Gun Co. 50th Division BEF also wrote:-
“Dear Friends, I write you these few lines to express my deepest sympathy with you on the loss of your dear son and my beloved comrade. We have been together for a long time now, since the beginning when we came out in April, 1915. I will never forget how he stuck to the guns when the boys were getting knocked to pieces and our little gallant band stuck together. He was a fine example of a soldier, always had a kind word for everybody. I had never to ask him twice to do a job, no matter the risk or danger. I hope and trust you will all bear up in your great loss as he died a brave British soldier’s death. When we used to talk about war he used to say to me “When we get them in the open we will not be long in giving them the push on to the Rhine.” I was in the trench the day before he was killed. I am sorry I did not see him. I only had a word or two with the sentries as it was raining hard and I did not want to bring him out of the dugout. I was at the graveside when the chaplain read the burial service, with a few of his old chums from Consett- From your loving friend Sergt-Major Malpass DCM

The Consett Guardian 07/07/1916 reads:-
The Late Corpl. Chas. Hill
An Appreciation
A correspondent writes- It is with profound sorrow that we read in last week’s Guardian of the death of our dearly beloved friend Corporal Charles Hill of the 6th Durhams and late of Sawmill cottage Woodlands and we of his native district would like to add a tribute to his memory. We read with sincere admiration the beautiful letters from his officers and chaplain and feel we would be glad to add something to the tribute they have paid him.

They knew him as a soldier and a hero; they saw him performing his duties faithfully in the battle. They admired him for his bravery and zeal. We knew him only as a comrade at home and as we knew him we were not surprised to read of his courage in the war. He possessed a true soldier’s disposition and would stand under all circumstances in defence of the weak and innocent. He was bright and cheerful, the influence of which cheered other hearts.

The aged and infirm were the recipients of his deepest sympathy and where their weaknesses and infirmities debarred them from many privileges, Charlie was ready to minister to their needs. It was his joy to read the newspapers to his aged grandfather who lived away in the woods and when on furlough he spent it in the company of his grandparents, his father and aunt. Charlie was a brave lad; he went out to France with his battalion and met that deadly reception of the battle of Mons, where the “faithful Durhams” won their spurs.

His last letter to his people told of his experience and hardship and his willingness to carry out his duties whatever the risk. The last sentence of his letter was “I am hoping bye and bye after the war is over to see you all again and should I not be spared to see you I am fully prepared for the final experience Death>”He met it bravely at the post of duty. “Greater love hath no man than this, that he should lay down his life for others.”

The news of his death caused us all much sorrow but to his father it was an awful blow; he was wrapped up in his son and well he might be. Our deepest sympathy we hold out to the bereaved family. A great life has gone from his grandfather’s life; Charlie was the idol of his heart. His memory we shall always hold dear and reverence his name with deepest respect.

Charles Hill is remembered at Knitsley on K31.01 at Consett on C101.01, C101.03, and C101.15 also at Lanchester on L62.01, and at Durham in the D.L.I. Book of Remembrance, page 151.