John Edward Hill
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 20 Jun 1901 |
| Place of Birth | Woodford, Thrapstone, Northamptonshire, England |
| Death | 14 Nov 1972, aged 71 |
| Place of Death | Busselton, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 39 years 6 months |
| Description |
5'10" (1.78m) tall ; 182lbs 82.554 kg ; fair complexion ; hazel eyes ; dark brown hair |
| Occupation | bicycle builder |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Roleystone, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Sister , Lella Richards |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | W21369 |
| Date of Enlistment | 15 Jan 1942 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 2nd (Fremantle) VDC Battalion |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Remained in Australia |
Pre War
On 3 Nov 1927 John obtained casual employment with the Western Australian Government Railways as a Porter in the Perth yards. Moved to Guildford on 13 Mar 1928, he remained there until he was retrenched on 8 Apr 1931. Employed again from 16 Jan 1933 to 22 Jun 1933.
Electoral Roll entries pre-war: 1934 at 820 Albany Road, Victoria Park. 1936-37 at 808 Albany Road, Victoria Park, working as a storekeeper.
War Service
On 15 Jan 1942 when called up John was exempt as a bicycle building was a reserved occupation. He was taken on strength by the 2nd (Fremantle) VDC Battalion on 5 Mar 1943, before being discharged at his own request on 5 Oct 1944.
Post War
Married Sarah Elspeth Bromley (nee Oliver) in Perth in 1946 (it was Sarah's second marriage; she passed away on 10 Jun 1964 in Busselton, aged 66). During 1965 John married again, following the 1964 death of Sarah, this time to Ellen Fanny Christopher in the Canning district. Ellen died on 20 Jul 1997 in Byford, aged 84.
Electoral Roll entries post-war: 1943 at 808 Albany Road, Victoria Park, working as a storekeeper. 1949 c/o JE & SE Hill, 13 Hawksburn road, Rivervale, cycle repairer. There is another 1949 entry listing John and Sarah at 25 Gwenyfred Road, South Perth, until at least 1954. Entries for 1958 - 1972 at 58 Fairbairn road, Busselton.
Notes
Lella Richards, given as Next of Kin on John's enlistment papers, was not John Hill's sister but the owner of the guest house address given as his residence.