Main CPGW Record
Surname: HILLARY
Forename(s): Harold
Place of Birth: Skipton, Yorkshire
Service No: 266958
Rank: L/Corporal
Regiment / Corps / Service: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Battalion / Unit: 2/6th Battalion
Division: 62nd (2/West Riding) Division
Age: 27
Date of Death: 1917-04-09
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: I. J. 74.
CWGC Cemetery: VARENNES MILITARY CEMETERY
CWGC Memorial: ---
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: SKIPTON, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Harold Hillary was the son of William Downham and Elizabeth Hillary, née Billows and brother of Private Horace Hillary (11304) (q.v.). Their father was born at Kettlewell and mother at Skipton, Yorkshire. Harold and Horace’s cousin, Jane Ashton, née Billows, was the mother of Private Thomas Ashton (28050) (q.v.). Harold and Horace were also cousins of Private John Hillary (2472) (q.v.); Private Frank Crossland Billows (15543) (q.v.) and T/2nd Lieutenant Thomas Billows Bellamy (q.v.).
1891 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: 5, Prospect Place - Harold Hillary, aged 1 years, born Skipton, son of William and Elizabeth Hillary.
1901 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: 1, Prospect Place - Harold Hillary, aged 11 years, born Skipton, son of William Downham and Elizabeth Hillary.
1911 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: 1, Prospect Place - Harold Hillary, aged 21 years, born Skipton, son of William Downham and Elizabeth Hillary.
The British Army Service Record for Harold Hillary exists but may be incomplete.
Harold is listed in the Nominal Roll of the 2/6th Battalion Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment): 'A' Coy - L/Cpl H. Hillary.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Harold Hillary, 266958, W. Rid. R.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte Harold Hillary, 266958, 2/6 W., Rid. R. Died 9.4.17.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: L/Cpl Harold Hillary, 266958, 2/6th W. Riding. Date and Place of Death: 9.4.17. No 47 C.C.S. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Mother and Sole Legatee - Elizabeth. £12 13s. 8d.
UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: joint card(s) exist for Harold and Horace. Name(s) on card(s): Mrs E. Hillary. Relationship to Man: Mother. Deceased. Dependant: Mr William Downham Hillary. Relationship to Man: Father. Address: 1, Prospect Place, Primrose Hill, Skipton, Yorks.
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
HILLARY, L-Cpl. H., aged 27, West Riding Regiment, 1, Prospect Place, [Skipton], died in France from pneumonia, 1917.
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L/Corporal Harold HILLARY
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 62nd (2/West Riding) Division
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View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
20 April 1917
HILLARY – April 9th 1917, from pneumonia, contracted while fighting in France, Lance-Corporal Harold Hillary, of the West Riding Regiment, son of Mr. and Mrs W.D. Hillary, Prospect Place, Skipton, aged 27 years.
20 April 1917
SKIPTON FAMILY’S SECOND BEREAVEMENT – LANCE-CORPORAL HAROLD HILLARY DIES IN FRANCE
We regret to record the death from pneumonia in a casualty clearing station at the Front of Lance-Corporal Harold Hillary, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Hillary, of Prospect Place, Skipton. The sad news was received by telegram on Saturday from the Territorial Records Office, York, briefly stating that death had taken place from pneumonia on April 9th, in No. 47 Casualty Clearing Station, France. Later the following letter, giving more details, was received from a Sister at the hospital:– “It is with much regret that I write to inform you of the death of your son, Lce.-Cpl. H. Hillary, of the West Riding Regt. in this hospital on the 9th inst. He was brought in suffering from pneumonia, and was so ill that he never rallied, and he passed away within three hours after he was admitted. I need not say that everything possible was done for him during the short time he was under our care, and it was our regret that we were unable to do more than just to make his last hours as peaceful as possible. He did not leave any message nor speak to anyone before he died, and I don’t think he ever realised how ill he was.”
The Rev. Archibald Longridge, Chaplain, has also written to the parents as follows:– “He was brought into this hospital in the last stage of pneumonia and died before he could be got to bed. I buried him this morning in the soldiers’ cemetery at -----, I pray that you may find consolation in this, your great loss, in Him above who can give it fully.”
Lce.-Cpl. Hillary was 27 years of age and, prior to enlisting about 18 months ago, was assistant groundsman at the Keighley Golf Links – a position he had previously filled on the Skipton Golf course. He had been in France about four months. This is Mr. and Mrs. Hillary’s second bereavement through the War, their youngest son, Pte. Horace Hillary, having died from wounds in a Manchester hospital in July of last year.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
20 April 1917
HILLARY – Died in hospital in France from pneumonia, Lance-Corpl. H. Hillary, of the West Riding Regiment, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Hillary, of 1, Prospect Place, Skipton, aged 27.
20 April 1917
SKIPTON SOLDIER DIES FROM PNEUMONIA
Mr. and Mrs. W.D. Hillary, of 1, Prospect Place, Skipton, received a telegram from the Territorial Records Office, York, stating that their son, Lance-Corporal H. Hillary, had died on April 9th in the 47th Casualty Clearing Station, France, from pneumonia.
A letter from a sister-in-charge at the hospital states:– “It is with much regret that I write to inform you of the death of your son, Lance-Corporal H. Hillary, of the West Riding Regiment, in this hospital on the 9th inst. from pneumonia. He was so ill that he never rallied, but passed away within three hours after he was admitted. I need not say that everything possible was done for him during the short time he was under our care, and it was our great regret that we were not able to do more than just to make his last hours as peaceful as possible. He did not leave any message nor speak of anyone at home before he died, and I don’t think he ever realised how ill he was. With sincere sympathy.”
Archibald Longridge, an army chaplain, writes:– “Your son was brought into this hospital in the last stage of pneumonia and died before he could be got to bed. I buried him this morning in the soldiers’ cemetery at -----, I pray that you may find consolation in this, your great loss, in His alone who can give it fully.”
Lance-Corporal Hillary was 27 years of age and was formerly employed as groundsman at the Keighley Golf Links. He enlisted eighteen months ago, and had been in France about four months.
Mr. and Mrs. Hillary had another son, Pte. Horace Hillary, of the Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment, who died in July last year from severe wounds in the right side and leg at the 22nd Western Hospital, Leaf Square, Pendleton, Manchester. Pte. Hillarv, who was 20 years of age, enlisted soon after the outbreak of war. He took part in the historic landing at Suvla Bay, where he was wounded in the foot and invalided home. He was formerly employed by Mr. Fred Anderton, mineral water manufacturer, of Skipton.
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