Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Private T. Hill, King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, who was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916

British War and Victory Medals (12771 Pte. T. Hill. Yorks. L.I.) minor edge bruise and light contact marks, very fine (2) £200-£240

Tom Hill was born in Sheffield and attested there for the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. He served with the 8th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 26 August 1915, and was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916, on which date the Battalion was involved in the attacks on the Ovillers Spur: attacking from in front of Authuille Wood good progress was quickly made by the leading waves and the German first line was entered. The following waves came under heavy machine gun fire from both flanks, losing over half the force whilst crossing No Man’s Land, followed by close quarter fighting in the German second and third lines. Withdrawing to the British front line that afternoon, they were relieved that night. Of the 25 officers and 659 other ranks who had gone into action that day only the medical officer and 110 ranks were present for the roll call that evening. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.