WO2 George Hill of Dronfield Woodhouse, Derbyshire, died on 23 November 2023 aged 100. George was born in Barlow and after a short period working at a local pit, is believed to have enlisted as a boy soldier in 1939. On 17 Jan 1941 he joined the 70th Young Soldiers Bn (which then became the 16th Bn and then the 1st Bn) the Sherwood Foresters until December 1942 when having been promoted to Cpl, he transferred to the Royal Lincolnshire Regiment on 10 April 1943.

During his service George served in the UK, Malaysia, Burma, Sumatra, Japan, Hong Kong and Kenya, twice dealing with Mau Mau uprisings. Having completed his 22 years’ service, George was discharged in 1962. After leaving the Army, George was an Auditor. He married his wife Kathleen in 1950 and they had three sons, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. George was an active man well into his 90s and will be remembered for his singing, particularly of Irish and Scottish songs. He celebrated his 100th birthday in a local pub surrounded by family and friends.

George’s funeral took place on Thursday 14 December 2023 at St Lawrence’s Church, Hackney Lane, Barlow, Dronfield, Derbyshire. It was well attended and representatives of both the Mercian Regiment and the Royal Anglian 2nd Battalion were present. The wake was held at the Peacock Pub, Hackney Lane, Barlow, to which all were invited to attend to pay their respects to this WWII veteran.