Charles William Hillier

Story:
Charles William Hillier was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1886 and baptised at St. James Church on 5 May 1886 the son of George Stephen Hillier, a Coach Builder, and Bessie Eliza Hillier (nee Webber).  He lived all his early life in the Shaftesbury area.  He married Bertha Mabel Jeans in Bournemouth, Hampshire, on 10 Dec 1915 and his address was given as 1 Woodside Road, Boscombe Park, Bournemouth, Hampshire.  He immediately joined the Royal Flying Corps (Service No. 16272) and eventually became a Corporal Mechanic working as a Draughtsman.  As from 1st April 1918 his unit became part of the Royal Air Force.  He was discharged on 26 Aug 1919 and had qualified for the Victory and British War Medals though no record can be found.  The 1921 census shows him living at 4 Riverside Road, St. Margarets, Twickenham, Middlesex, working as an Engineer for the Air Ministry. By the time of the 1939 Register his address was given as Selsdon Road, Croydon, Surrey, but his name is blanked presumably for some security reason though it is reported in family records that he was exempt from Military service as he worked for Farnborough Research, Surrey.  There is no reliable death record. His brother, Frederick Tom Hillier, also served in the conflict in the Royal Navy and both their names appear on a Roll of Honour published in the St. James' Church Parish Magazine in Nov 1918