Robert Henry Hill (1847 – 1923)

Alice Annie Hill (1867 – 1932)

Albert Arthur Hill (1899 – 1899)

Ernest George Hill (1901 – 1901)

Robert Henry Hill was born in 1847 in Northleigh in Devon, the son of Henry and Hannah, nee Loveridge, Hill. He was baptized 24 October 1847 in Northleigh as Robert Hill. He was recorded with his parents and siblings in Northleigh in the 1851 census, his father Henry was a farm labourer. Ten years later in the 1861 census Robert was recorded living as a servant in Offwell in Devon and his occupation was a farm servant.

Robert joined the army on 20 December 1864 declaring he was 18 years old and served in the second battalion of the 60^th Regiment of Royal Rifles. He was promoted to lance corporal and then corporal in 1878. Altogether he served over 16 years including 13 years and 6 months in the East Indies, finally leaving service in June 1881.

Robert married Alice Annie Andrews in 1884 in Newbury. Alice was born circa 1867 in Newbury, the daughter of Henry and Ann, nee Collins, Andrews. In the 1871 census Alice was living with her parents and six siblings just off Bartholomew Street in Newbury, Henry was recorded as an ostler. In the 1881 census Alice (recorded as Annie) was living as a servant in Speen Broadway and her occupation was a general servant.

In the 1891 census Robert and Annie were living in Kennet Court, West Mills in Newbury with children Henry aged 6, Francis aged 4, John aged 2 and twins Florence & Edith aged six months. Robert was recorded as a railway labourer.

A son Albert Arthur was born February 1899. Sadly, he died aged five months and was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 22 July 1899.

In the 1901 census Robert and Annie were living in West Mills in Newbury with children Henry Charles aged 16, Francis aged 14, John William aged 12, twins Florence & Edith aged 10, Beatrice Ellen aged 8, Emma aged 6 & Alfred aged 4. Robert was recorded as a general labourer, sons Henry & Francis were errand boy (saddlers) & builder’s carter respectively.

Just a few months after the census a son Ernest George was born. Sadly, he died aged three months and was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 11 December 1901.

Ten years later in the 1911 census Robert and Annie were still living in West Mills in Newbury with children Henry Charles aged 26, John William aged 22, Beatrice Ellen aged 18, Emma aged 16, Leonard aged 7, Rose Alice aged 5 & Ella Edna May aged 3. Robert was recorded as a general labourer, Henry as a plumber gas fitter, John a plumber, Beatrice a laundress & Emma a general servant.

In the 1920 to 1923 electoral registers Robert and Alice were recorded at Bridge House in West Mills.

Robert died March 1923 and was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 15 March, he was still living at West Mills at the time of his death.

Alice was still recorded at Bridge House in the 1924 electoral register but from 1925 until 1930 she was recorded at 30 West Mills. Alice died December 1932 while living at West Mills and was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 19 December 1932.

Robert and Alice’s son John William Hill was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 6 April 1965 and the ashes of his wife Dorothy on 13 July 1974. Another son Francis Thomas was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 18 April 1934.

Author: Gerald Soper
© FNRC