Charles Henry Hillier

Birth	1889, Micheldever, Hants
Parents	Son of Harry & Hannah Hillier
Residence	Upper Froyle, Hants
Occupation

Enlisted	Hersham, Surrey
Regiment	49th Signal Company, Corps of Royal Engineers
Regimental No:	558683
Rank	Driver
Service Record

Death	10th October 1918, killed in action aged 29
Theatre of War	France & Flanders
Commemoration	Naves Communal Cemetery Extension
Medals	Victory Medal, British War Medal

Charles Henry Hillier was born in Micheldever in 1889, the son of Harry and Hannah Hillier. In the 1911 Census he was staying with his Uncle, George Wheeler, in Hersham, Surrey, which possibly explains why he enlisted there. His Uncle had two sons, aged 20 and 16 at the time of the census - perhaps the three men decided to enlist together! His actual residence at the time of his death, however, was Upper Froyle, although where, we do not know. He was a carter at the time of the 1911 Census. He served with the 49th Signal Company, Corps of Royal Engineers, as 558683 Driver Charles Hillier, although at the time of his death he was attached to 246th Brigade of Royal Field Artillery. Charles was killed in action in France, on 10th October, 1918, aged 29 years. The Brigade’s war diary tells us:
Escaudoevres. Left 9am for Baralle area. While watering horses on arrival orders received to proceed to Neuville-St-Remy. Brigade blocked and delayed on route so arrived at destination. HQ occupied by wagon lines but before the batteries could do so, orders were received to proceed at once into action in the front of Escaudoevres. HV fell in HQ lines in St Remy killing 7 and wounding 11 men, nearly all signallers, also 13 horses killed.
Driver Charles Hillier was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. He is laid to rest in the Naves Communal Cemetery Extension, Grave I.B.7