Francis Thomas Hill 1886 — 1934

Francis as born on 11 October 1886 in Newbury, the son of Robert Henry and Alice Annie, nee Francis was born on 11 October 1886  four siblings at Kennet Court, West Mills in Newbury in the 1891 census. His father Robert was recorded as a railway labourer.

He attended West Mills school then on 14 March 1894 he joined St Nicolas Church of England school, leaving on 7 April 1998. 

In the 1901 census Francis was living with his parents Robert and Annie in West Mills in Newbury with siblings Henry Charles aged 16, John aged 12, twins Florence & Edith aged 10, Beatrice Ellen aged 8, Emma aged 6 & Alfred aged 4. Robert was recorded as a general labourer, Francis and his brother Henry were errand boy builder's carter and saddlers respectively.

Francis enlisted in the 17th Lancers on 21 August 1905.

In the 1911 census Francis was recorded as a private in the Lancers at Edwards Barracks in Sialkot in India. He was discharged on 15 January 1916 after being wounded in action in WW1. He was awarded the Silver War Badge.

He married Charlotte Brindley on 22 April 1916 at St Mary in Speenhamland. Charlotte was born on 13 November 1890 in Greenham. In the 1891 census she was living in Greenham with her parents Alfred and Lucy Brindley and two siblings. Ten years later in the 1901 Charlotte was living with her mother Lucy Taylor and three siblings in 9 Adeys Building in Stroud Green. In the 1911 census Charlotte was living with her stepfather Francis Taylor and mother Lucy and three step siblings at the same address and recorded as a laundry machinist.

 
In the 1920 to 1922 electoral registers Francis and Charlotte were recorded at Leopold, Livingstone Road in Newbury. In 1923 and 1924 they were recorded at 1 Hampton Villas in Livingstone Road then from 1925 to 1931 at 5 Livingstone Road. 

Francis died 15 April 1934 and was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 18 April, he was licensee of The Lion Inn in West Street at the time of his death. He did not leave a will but administration of his estate was granted on 8 May 1934 at Oxford to his widow Charlotte, the value of the estate was £675 19s 10d.

 
Charlotte remarried in 1934 in Newbury to Alexander J Carpenter. She died on 30 January 1969 while living at 15 Greenlands Road in Newbury and was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 5 February 1969. 

Francis's parents were buried at Newtown Road Cemetery, his father Robert Henry on 15 March 1923 and his mother Alice Annie on 19 December 1932. In addition, three of Francis's brothers were buried at Newtown Road Cemetery, Albert Arthur Hill on 22 July 1899, Ernest George Hill on 11 December 1901 and John William Hill on 6 April 1965. 

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