HILL, Edwin Byard
DIVISIONAL UNIT: 3rd Canadian Infantry Division
9th Infantry Brigade
43rd Battalion - Cameron Highlanders of Canada
“D” Company
Canadian Infantry Corps
SERVICE NO: 654045
RESIDENCE: Clinton – Ontario
DATE OF BIRTH: October 18, 1875.
Norval – Halton County - Ontario
DATE OF DEATH: August 8, 1918 42 years 9 months
CEMETERY: Mezieres Communal Cemetery Extension – Mezieres -
Somme – France.
B 16
WIFE: Mrs. Maude Hill – Clinton – Ontario.
MOTHER: Mrs. Mary Hill – Clinton - Ontario
Occupation: Store Clerk Religion: Presbyterian
Enlistment: Clinton – December 6, 1915 into 161st Huron Battalion
Enlistment Age: 40 years 1 month
Edwin moved to Clinton in 1906 with his parents and siblings at the age of 32.
Private Hill along with his comrades arrived in England on November 11, 1916. In February of 1918 he is transferred to the 4th Canadian Reserve Battalion before then being moved to the 43rd Battalion in early April 1918.
Private Hill was killed in action near the Vignette Wood which was at a point west of the wood and south of the Amiens-Hoye Road, at about 7:50 am, and he was severely wounded from enemy shrapnel and he died within a few minutes.
The weather was bright in the morning with heavy mist causing poor visibility and some rain in the afternoon. Winds were 10 mph.
“B” Company relieved “A” Company at 2:00 am in Falcon Trench. The Battalion was in position behind “B” Company at 3:40 am at Falcon Trench. The artillery began their barrage at 4:18 am. “B” Company advanced to Dodo Wood. They would attack with a frontal attack. “C” Company followed swinging south, clearing Magyar Trench and reaching the objective Hollan Wood. They would attack Dodo Wood from the south. “D” Company followed and would attack Dodo Wood from the south. “C” Company was advancing south-east to Vignette Wood. Enemy guns were active until 8:00 am when they were knocked out. “A” Company would attack Dodo Wood from the left.
“C” Company had the objective Hollan Wood. “D” Company had Vignette Wood as their objective which included a battery of guns in the area.
During the assault, the men had to deal with fog and smoke but were successful in their assault.
Casualties numbered 20 killed, 122 wounded and 47 missing.