Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Herbert, known as ‘Mick’ was the first son born in the hills town of Uraidla on the 12th July 1906 to James Henry and Blanche Hill. His siblings included Hilda Myrtle, Vera Blanche, Rita Irene, Ethel Joyce, Gweneth Norma, Lurline Ruby, Horace Jack and Clem. The family lived in Stirling West in the picturesque Adelaide Hills where Mick played football for Aldgate and was often recognised in the best player list.
With the outbreak of WWII, Mick’s younger brother, Horace Jack enlisted as soon as he turned 21 on the 30th June, becoming SX13472 in the 2nd/27th Battalion. Just days prior to his 35th birthday, Mick followed, enlisting on the 5th July ‘41. He was allocated the number SX13560 in the 2/48th Battalion. The following month their 18-year-old brother Clem also enlisted on the 7th August at Port Adelaide, becoming PA2202. He named his mother, Blanche as his next of kin whilst the older brothers nominated their father. Following pre-embarkation leave, Mick was soon on his way to the Middle East.
The following year in July ’42 the now highly respected 2/48th were sent to El Alamein, in Egypt. In late June, 42 with Rommel crossing into Egypt, the 2/48th were in an offensive to capture Trig 33, which was achieved on the 10th July. In doing so, over 400 Italian prisoners were taken. The battalion then advanced south, capturing the Tel el Eisa station and repelling numerous counter attacks. However, they were eventually forced to withdraw, having suffered over 100 casualties. It was during this attack that fellow soldier, Private Stan Gurney was awarded the 2/48th Battalion’s first VC having captured two machine gun posts and bayonetted the gun crew firing on his company but was killed attempting to take a third. The 2/48th battalion suffered 215 casualties between the 7th July and 23rd October. Of that number, 64 men were killed and six, died of their wounds. 125 other men were wounded but survived. It was during the bitter fighting at Tel el Eisa on 22 July ‘42 Private ‘Mick’ Hill was killed in action. He had just celebrated his 36th birthday and it was just over a year since he enlisted.
In his book, ‘Tobruk to Tarakan’, John G. Glenn described the ferocious encounter in which Paddy was killed in action, two years after he enlisted. He was 36 years old.
‘When the troops were well forward of the start-line they came under terrific fire from shells and mortars from the front and left and suffered heavy casualties. With the slow deliberate movement of perfectly trained soldiers both companies continued the advance in perfect formation, over ground that trembled and erupted with vicious explosions. Through this, sometimes obscured by the smoke and dust, the men moved, and, as they advanced, the fire kept place with them, leaving behind the still shapes of fallen men among the camel bush and sand.’
Glenn later quotes 22-year-old Ray Bloffwitch SX7866 of D Company who was in the thick of the fighting:
‘The noise was terrific: German machine guns were spreading the fire right across our front. The continuous call for stretcher bearers told of our casualties. My section had just cleaned out a pocket when I saw another section cut down. Wally Shane fell and did not move. Then a little further forward, Sergeant Lin Evans was hit twice.’ Mick was also killed with these fellow soldiers who were all buried nearby.
The Chronicle published a list of those killed in action in August ’42. In his list, all fifteen were from his 2/48th Battalion. Killed In Action SX8230 Pte Ronald A P Clemens. 2/48th Eden. SX5304 Pte Eric W Coleman 2/48th Thebarton SX7483 Pte Ivan C Hanel, 2/48th Norwood. SX13560 Pte Herbert J Hill Inf Stirling West SX7200 Pte Gordon J Jury 2/48th Torrensville. SX13621 Pte Ebenezer N Kilsby 2/48th. New Hindmarsh SX7399 L/Cpl Ray B Lovelock 2/48th Karoonda SX9316 Pte. Arthur L Phillips 2/48th Murray BridgeSX829P SX829P Pte Carle Sims 2/48th Norwood. SX12849 Pte Hartley R Stocker. 2/48th Birdwood SX7801 Pte. Edward S. Smith. 2/48th York. SX7740 Pte John K Stone. 2/48th Willowie. 3X7156 Pte Wilfred R. Wear. 2/48th Birkenhead. SX8636 Pte Victor L J. Young. 2/48th Adelaide Died Of Wounds SX8670 L/Cpl William J. Glennon 2/48th Alberton.

Back home the Advertiser carried the news in August that ‘Mr. and Mrs. J. Hill, of Stirling West, have been notified that their eldest son Pte. Herbert James (Mick) Hill, was killed in action on July 22. He enlisted in July, 1941, and sailed for overseas in November of the same year.’ The local Mount Barker Courier and Onkaparinga and Gumeracha Advertiser carried a similar message. ‘Mr. and Mrs. J. Hill are in receipt from the authorities of the unfortunate news that their son, Pte. Herbert J. (Mick), has been killed in Egypt. He enlisted in July of last year, went away in November, and was killed on the 22nd of last month.’
In April ’43, Mick was re-buried in the El Alamein War Cemetery in Egypt in Plot XVI, Row H Grave 25. He rests with others from his 2/48th Battalion who died on the same day. These included SX13018 21-year-old Private Colin Hanley, SX7979 22-year-old Corporal Lindsay Evans, SX11052 22-year-old Private Walter Shane, WX10144 19-year-old Private Albert Lang, SX7948 24-year-old L/Sgt Keith Trenorden, SX9316, 28-year-old Private Arthur Phillips, SX7343 27-year-old John Miller, SX8670 26-year-old Corporal William Glennon, SX7535 28 year old Cpl Patrick O’Loughlin, WX9817 Pte Gilbert W.B. Lee, WX9858 33 year old Pte Arthur S. Gurney (V.C.), SX13121 23 year old Pte Reginald W.C. Brown, WX9869 31 year old Pte William T. Birchley, SX7483 32 year old Pte Ivan C. Hanel, SX13560 36 year old Pte Herbert J. Hill and SX10317 28-year-old Captain C.F. Williams (M.C.). Mick’s parents chose the inscription ‘Loved in Life, In Death Remembered’ for his headstone.
Mick’s brothers Clem survived the war and was discharged in January ’46 and Horace two months later in March.
The family continued to remember Mick.
Advertiser Saturday 15 August 1942, HILL.—Killed on active service in Egypt on July 22, Pte. H. J. Hill (Mick), dearly beloved son of J. and B. Hill. Stirling West, and dearly loved brother of Vera, Rita, Ethel, Gwen, Lurline, Jack (A.I.F., returned), and Clem (R.A.N.), aged 36 years. Too dearly loved to be forgotten. HILL.—Killed on active service in Egypt on July 22, Pte. T. J. Hill (Mick), dearly loved brother of Vera and brother in-law of Sgt L. J. Atkins. A.I.F. abroad. He sacrificed his life for others.
Advertiser Saturday 22 July 1944, HILL, Pte. K. J. (Mick). —Killed In action. Egypt. July 22 1942. So dearly loved and sadly missed by mother, father, sisters, and brothers. HILL.—Loving memory of brother Mick, killed in action July 22 1942.— 'Ever remembered by Ethel, Jack, and Colin. HILL.—In loving memory of my brother Mick, killed in action, Egypt July 22. 1942. Not only today, but every day in silence we remember. —Inserted by his loving sister and brother-in-law, Gwen and Glen. HlLL.—Cherished memories of our dear brother. Pte. H. J. Hill (Mick) killed July 22 1942 in Egypt. Resting where no shadows fall.—Sadly missed by Vera, Laurie. POW. and family.
Advertiser Monday 22 July 1946, HILL.—In loving memory of Mick, 2/48th Batt., killed in action, Egypt July 22, 1942. Our thoughts drift back to by-gone days, time passes on, but memories stay. —Ever remembered by his loving mother, father, brothers, Jack and Clem, and sister, Lurline. HILL.—In loving memory of my brother Pte. H. J. Hill (Mick), killed in action July 22. 1942 in Egypt. Silent memories, true and tender, to show we always remember —Ever remembered by his loving sister Vera and family Don and Pat.
Advertiser Tuesday 22 July 1947, HILL.—In loving memory of dear Mick, killed in action Egypt, July 22, 1942. To be with us In the same old way Would be our greatest wish today. —Ever remembered by his loving mother, father and brothers Jack and Clem.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.