Alfred Edward Hill (1888 – 1915)

1. Alfred Edward Hill(1888 – 1915) At the outbreak of WW1, my grandfather – aged 26 – had just become a father for the second time. My own father was barely 4 and my aunt just a few weeks old when he joined the City of London Regiment of the Royal Fusiliers. He survived only for a few months, dying of wounds received in Gallipoli on the 5th July 1915. My grandmother was left, at a very young age, to bring up two children under 5 with very little money and a very small widow’s pension. He had been a tailor’s cutter and she became a dressmaker, She never remarried but managed – with the help of her parents – to bring up her two children and even eventually to own her own house. She died in 1990, aged 90, followed by my aunt in 2004.

2. It was only when I was clearing out the house that I found, tucked away in a drawer, a battered wallet containing what were probably the last 2 letters sent to my grandmother from her husband on his way to the Dardanelles. I would like to put them into the Great War archive in his memory – he had such a short life and missed out on so much. The letters are very fragile and will probably not survive another century, so I hope that by doing this his four grandchildren, seven great grandchildren and nine great great grandchildren will be able to read them and get some sense of the man none of us ever knew. Both letters are undated; the first was sent from Falmouth from where Alfred was about to embark.

4. The second – and almost certainly the last letter he ever wrote – was written in pencil and is now very faded. Unfortunately, it is also undated, but from the contents, was probably written in the Dardanelles. Below is a transcription of the letter Pte A. E. Hill No 10999 V Coy The Docks Falmouth ‘Dear Min: Arrived here safe about 8.30 this morning. Had to have kit inspection as soon as we had breakfast. We are leaving about 12 o clock tomorrow (Mon). Well old dear I hope you are alright. Keep a stout heart and all will come right in the end. Take care of the children. Look after Gladys well and also Walter. I hope to see them big and strong by the time I come back. Thank you for the pleasant time I had. It will always live in my memory as long as I live. I also thank you for the silver shoe. I went to look at your photo in the train and saw it. I will look after it. As soon as I can get the address to you let me have the photo because I shall long to see it. Please thank Grandma for the pen, it is very nice and I will take care of it. Well dear, I have got to start scrubbing. We have got to have our belts clean to go with so I have got a busy time in front of me. I wanted to have a sleep but I shall have to wait a bit. Well dear, we had a pleasant journey compared with what we had going up. Of course it was not pleasant as regards thoughts but we must trust in God and pray that I shall be home soon for good. Well dear, thank you again for your pleasant holliday. I don’t feel very happy here now, but it will soon work off. I must close now, old dear, as I have a lot to do today. Will write again soon and if possible let you know where we are going to. Give my love to Ma and Dad and remember me to all. So goodbye for the present. With love to yourself and children I remain your loving husband Alf Keep up heart dear. It is hard for you but trust in him above and expect the happy day soon. xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx for Gladys for yourself for Walter. The second – and almost certainly the last letter he ever wrote – was written in pencil and is now very faded. Unfortunately, it is also undated, but from the contents, was probably written in the Dardanelles.

7. Pte A. E.Hill No 10999 Y Coy 2nd Battalion Royal Fusiliers 29 Division 36 Brigade British Mediterranean Expeditionary Force ‘Dear Min Just a few lines hoping you and the children are well .... (unreadable due to fold in paper) …. I feel myself a bit tired not being used to hard work, but am getting over it alright. There are plenty of shells flying around us but we are getting used to them now. Well, old dear, instead of coming out here for a picnic as they told us, we have dropped in for something hot but never mind we must take our chance and trust in God to see us through. I have not had a letter from you yet. It is a month since we left. Did you receive my letters and postcard. I am sorry I cannot give you a lot of news but if I live to get out of it you will know it all then so you must wait for a bit. Well old dear if you can send me some smokes I shall be very glad. If it is a lot of trouble do not send. I will manage alright. If you can send me some lime juice tablets that is what I should like very much. It is very hot here and I get very dry. I don’t know of any more news at present. Only when am I going to get that photo. I should like one as soon as you can. It takes about three weeks to get anything here, so send as soon as you get this. Well I must close now with love to Ma and Dad and also yourself and the children. I expect Betty is getting a big girl now. Well I live in hopes of seeing you all soon. Well good bye for the present. I remain your loving husband. Alf I don’t know if my grandmother ever received his postcard and more importantly if he ever got the photograph. I hope he did – it was almost certainly the one below, which is the only one of them as a complete family.