Frederick Tom Hillier

Story:
Frederick Tom Hillier was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 27 Oct 1900 and baptised at St. James Church on 28 Nov 1900 the son of George Stephen Hillier, a coach builder, and Bessie Eliza Hillier (nee Webber).  He spent all his early life in and around the Shaftesbury area.  He enlisted in the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 25 Jan 1918 (Service No. J84505).  On his birthday on 27 Oct 1918, having achieved the age of 18 years, he was re-classified as an Ordinary Seaman and later became an Able Seaman and served on HMS Powerful and HMS Ramillies.  He continued in the Navy after the war but was invalided out on 4 Nov 1925 with 'flat feet'.  He had been awarded the Victory and British War Medals.  He married Alma May Francis in Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 19 Aug 1929.  By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 117 Winchester Road, Romsey, Hampshire, working as a Journeyman Coach Painter.   His death was recorded in Romsey on 14 Feb 1969.  His brother, Charles William Hillier, also served in the conflict and both their names were mentioned on a Roll of Honour published in the St. James' Church Parish Magazine in Nov 1918.