Samuel Denys Hillis (Private)

Samuel Denys Hillis was born to Samuel and Emma Hillis on 9th October 1892. This is confirmed by the following record, which places his birth in the last quarter of 1892 in Toxteth Park.

In the 1901 Census, Samuel Denys Hillis was aged 8 and lived in Queens Drive, Heswall, Heswall cum Oldfield, Wirral, Cheshire, England

1911 Census: In the 1901 Census, Samuel Denys Hillis was aged 18 and lived at 12 Willowbank Road, Birkenhead, England.

Samuel is noted as a "Student" in the census, so he was retired sometime prior to 1911, when he was aged 57. This ties in with existing dates for Samuel’s birth.

Signature and Address:

Samuel Denys was the son of Samuel and Emma Hillis of 2 Green Lawn, Rock Ferry Cheshire, Samuel was a retired Cotton Broker, his wife Emma was daughter of the late George Benjamin Keyworth of Marr Grange, Doncaster. Samuel Denys was the youngest of two sons , his brother William Bernard was a year older, the 1911 census shows the family living at 12 Willow Bank Road, Birkenhead, born in Liverpool on the 9th October 1892, he was educated at Birkenhead School and Liverpool University where he Graduated BSC in Chemistry Honours School in July 1913, and after a year’s research in Metallurgy, obtained an MSC, he volunteered on the 11th September 1914 his medical history shows he was 5 feet 7 inches and he weighed 10 stone 4Lbs. He embarked for France from Southampton on the 23rd January 1915; he was killed in action during the charge at Hooge on the 16th June 1915.

The BN war diary for the period reads: From the 10th to the 15th June the Battn was busily engaged in training for an operation to take place on the 16th, particular attention being given to bombing.

On the morning of the 12th June a composite Company under Capt R F B Dickinson attended a ceremonial parade near the camp, where the GOC 3rd Div, General Haldane presented DCMs to NCOs and men of the brigade, Private Howarth of B Coy being one if the recipients of this distinction.

On the evening of the 14th June Major A S Anderson proceeded to RAILWAY WOOD ( which is situated West of BELLEWARD farm and north of Hooge) from which point the 9th Brigade were to attack on the morning of the 16th he took with him 2 men from each company at act as markers and also 2 cyclists. At 4pm on the afternoon of 15th the Battn left the camping ground near BUSSE BOOM and proceeded via YPRES to RAILWAY WOOD.

16th The attack was made on a frontage of about 1000 yards, the Northumberland, Royal Scots and Royal Fusiliers were detailed to take the first line, we in conjunction with the Lincolns were to take the 2nd line, the 7th Brigade being in reserve. We were shelled rather heavily between 12.30 and 2.10 am on the morning of the 16th during this time several of our men were killed or wounded.

Our artillery bombardment started at 2.10am and carried out the work of demolition so successfully that little difficulty was experienced in taking the first and second line trenches. Unfortunately however in continuing the advance we suffered many casualties as owing to the difficulty in observing signals it was impossible to keep our shells ahead of the advancing Infantry, although the 3rd line German trenches were reached it was impossible to hold on to them the whole brigade consolidated the 1st part of the 2nd line German trench, manning them until 11.30pm on the night of the 16th at which point they were relieved by the 8th Brigade.

The casualties amongst our officers were particularly heavy of the 24 officers who went up only Lt Wall, 2nd Lt Roddick and Lt Chavasse came back unscathed. The work of all ranks throughout the day calls for the highest praise our bombing parties doing particularly good work. The stretcher bearers throughout a most trying day did excellent work and showed great courage in attending to so many wounded under heavy shell fire.

The diary ends with the following. The following is an extract from a special order by Major General Haldane Commanding 3rd Div published on the 17th June. The Major General commanding cannot adequately express his admiration for the gallant manner in which the attack was carried yesterday. The dash and determination of all ranks was beyond praise, and that some actually reached the objective in the first push and remained there under most trying circumstances is proof of their superiority over the German infantry, that the captured could not all be held is disappointing, more especially as the losses incurred were heavy, but these casualties have not been in vain. Samuels body wasn’t found and so he is named on Menin Gate Memorial (Ypres) Belgium Panel 4 to 6

The YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL bears the names of more than 54,000 officers and men whose graves are not known. The site of the Menin Gate was chosen because of the hundreds of thousands of men who passed through it on their way to the battlefields. It commemorates casualties from the forces of Australia, Canada, India, South Africa and United Kingdom who died in the Salient.

"Dedicated to the memory of the old boys of Birkenhead School who gave their lives for others in The Great War trusting that their sacrifice may never be forgotten and that their example may live for ever to inspire succeeding generations of their schoolfellows."

WWI memorial displayed under the large entrance hall window at the University of Liverpool, Victoria Hall, Brownlow Hill.