| Regiment | 1st Royal Berkshire |
|---|---|
| Location | France, CAMBRIN |
| Entry | Btn in billets. Enemy shelled 1st line transport. One man wounded. An old friend of the Battn, Hon Captain and Qtr Mst Harman 1st KRR was also seriously wounded. The C.O. went over to see the 2nd and 5th Battalions. In the evening at 10.20pm our guns were to shell the enemy officers billets near LA BASSE. The enemy replied to their fire. The first few shells fell short of our billets, but they lengthened, and got very near to where the officers mess was. Lt Col C G Hill, Lieut Green, 2/Lt Colbourne, Captain Large RAMC and Captain Isaac were in the mess at the time. The Commanding Officer Captain [sic] C G Hill said "Come on boys we will go down to the cellar". All the Officers started off. Captain Isaac was the first to get down. Just as Lt Col Hill and Lieuts Green and Colbourne were going down the steps, a shell burst with disasterous [sic] results. Lt Col C G Hill CMG DSO was killed. Lieut C W Green seriously wounded. Died following day. 2/Lieut E K Colbourne seriously wounded. Died following day. The whole battalion mourned for the loss of their Commanding Officer and the other two Gentlemen. Lt Col Hill was a magnificent Commanding Officer. His heart and soul were in the Regiment, and he was loved and respected by all ranks. He was buried at CUINCHY in a little graveyard beside many of the NCO's and men of the Battn he loved so well. The following message was received from General HORNE Commanding 2nd Division. "Have heard with deepest regret of death of Lieut Col Hill. I sympathise sincerely with 6th Brigade and 1st Royal Berkshire Regt in their great loss. Please convey my condolences to the Battalion." Lt Col C G Hill, CMG, DSO Killed. |
The Wardrobe,
58 The Close,
Salisbury, SP1 2EX,
England
For Collections, Research & Volunteering Enquiries:
Please note that we are currently not accepting new object donations at the moment.
07304 068136
For Venue Hire, Retail & Other General Enquiries:
07375 103910