| Regimental number | 8/1506 |
| Address | 13 Grange Street, Dunedin |
| Marital status | Married |
| Next of kin | Wife, Mrs C N Hill, 118 Walker Street, Dunedin |
| Rank on embarkation | Private |
| Enlistment status | Volunteer |
| Unit name | New Zealand Expeditionary Force, 3rd Reinforcements, Otago Infantry Battalion, D Company |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Wellington on |
| The Otago Infantry Battalion, 3rd Reinforcements, left New Zealand on board three ships (HMNZT 17 'Maunganui', HMNZT 18 'Tahiti' and HMNZT 19 'Aparima'). It is not possible from the Nominal Roll to determine on which ship an individual embarked. | |
| Final rank | Captain |
| Final unit | 2nd Battalion, Otago Infantry Regiment |
| Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Mention in Despatches 'British Front Armentieres and Operations Somme 20th September - 2nd October 1916. This Officer has held the appointment of Quartermaster to his Battalion for the past 11 months and has carried out the duties with conspicuous success. On all occasions the Battalion has been well fed and equipped and especially during the operations on the Somme. Lieut. Hill was untiring in his efforts to ensure that the men in the front line received their rations, water and ammunition regularly. This he never failed to do and personally accompanied the rations to the Battalion dumps under heavy shellfire to ensure their safe arrival.' Awarded, and promulgated, 'London Gazette', 1 June 1917. |
| Fate | Accidentally killed (shot by soldier) |
| Age at death from cemetery records | 31 |
| Place of burial | Hondeghem Churchyard (Row A, Grave No 2), nr Hazebrouck, France |
| Medals |
Military Cross 'Operations Messines 7th to 12th June and operations opposite Warneton 14th to 19th June 1917. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. As Quartermaster to his Battalion this officer has displayed the greatest gallantry and devotion to duty in personally taking forward rations and supplies up to the front line, he himself superintending their distribution under heavy shellfire. His energy and initiative have at all times invoked the highest praise and it has been mainly due to his efforts that the fighting men in the front line have never run short of food or water. He is deserving of special distinction.'
Source: 'London Gazette' Date: |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front 'A tragic affair occurred in the 2nd Battalion lines on March 3rd. Captain R.J. Hill M.C., and 2nd Lieut. D. McLean were fatally shot without apparent reason by a private of the Battalion Transport, who, presumably insane, subsequently shot himself. A funeral service was held in the Hondeghem Cemetery on the following day was attended by representatives of each company and of other branches of the Division.' (A.E. Byrnes, 'Official History of the Otago Regiment') Medals: Military Cross, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Miscellaneous details | Nominal Roll Vol. 1: Otago Infantry Batln/Third |
| Sources | Archives New Zealand (Wellington), Agency AABK, Series 18805, File 18048065 |