Private George Hill

7015132 Private George Victor Edward Hill, No.10 Platoon, "T" Company, 1st Parachute Battalion. George Hill was born in 1922, and enlisted in the Royal Artillery on the 8th June 1939, but later transferred to the London Irish Rifles. He volunteered for the Airborne Forces and completed parachute course No.65, which ran from the 17th to 28th May 1943. Hill was subsequently sent to North Africa as a reinforcement for the 1st Parachute Battalion, with whom he took part in the Sicily and Italian operations in July and September 1943. At Arnhem he was in No.10 Platoon, "T" Company and was taken prisoner. Repatriated at the end of the war, he transferred to a Royal Artillery Searchlight Unit on the 3rd October 1945. George Hill died on the 2nd August 1992. The following is his obituary, as it appeared in the Pegasus Journal, December 1992:

Born in Maidstone Barracks in 1922, George Hill served in the London Irish Rifles from 1939-43 when he transferred to 1st Para Bn and served in N. Africa, Italy, Sicily and Arnhem where he was taken prisoner of war. Leaving the Army in 1946 George joined the Hertfordshire Police completing twenty-six years service as sergeant. Over the years he has made a contribution in forging lasting links with the Dutch people whom he held in high regard. A regular visitor to Holland he developed many friendships some of whom attended his funeral. Probity, faith and loyalty were the personal qualities of George Hill which were reflected in his family and community life. A Member of the Luton Branch of the PRA he formed the now vibrant Hertford Branch in 1988 and was its Chairman until poor health compelled him to stand down. He was appointed life Vice President for his outstanding service to the Branch. Over the years George was ably supported by his wife, Betty, and daughter, Lynda, not as camp followers but actively participating in the life of the Branch and the PRA in general. Lynda has been Branch Assistant Secretary since its inception giving sterling service. The funeral took place at St Andrews Church, Hertford when a large contingent of PRA Members attended from Hertford and Luton Branches, members from other branches plus old comrades from the 1st Para Bn. Representatives of the Hertfordshire Police and many other friends joined the family in paying tribute to a big man.

Thanks to Bob Hilton for this account.