John William Hill

A Lance Corporal with The Hallamshire Bn., John died on 16th of July 1944 at the age of 23. 

John was born at Kingsbridge, Devon, in 1921, a son of George Henry and Eliza Jane Hill. In 1939 his family lived at Rugwell Cottage, South Huish, Devon.

John enlisted in the Devonshire Regiment and was later transferred to serve with the Hallamshire Battalion of the York and Lancaster Regiment. During 1943 the Hallamshires were deployed to Hopton for training and they were based at the 'Golden Sands' holiday camp. 

John married Nancy Elizabeth Soanes in 1943. Nancy lived at Cliff Holm, The Street, Corton. 

The Hallamshire Battalion left Hopton on 3 June 1944 and landed at Normandy on 9 June 1944. 

On 16 July 1944 the Hallamshires were given the task of attacking and capturing Barbee Farm and the village of Vendes. There were many casualties in the attack and they failed to secure their objectives, however, they did force the Germans to retreat and so, overall, the attack was judged to have been a success. The battalion lost ten men killed, including John, and 64 wounded. 

John was, initially, buried at Vendes, and in July 1945 was reburied at St. Manvieu War Cemetery, Cheux.