GEORGE ERNEST HILLABY
Fusilier 6094789
18th Bn, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment)
Killed 30 September 1940 aged 22, while defusing an unexploded shell in Kent.
Born c1918 Whitwell
Attended West Mersea School
Buried in Barfield Road Cemetery, West Mersea, grave 767.
Commemorated on West Mersea War Memorial and on plaque in West Mersea School.

Arthur Ernest Hillaby, a miner from Whitwell, Derbyshire, married Elfreda Maud Dixon at West Mersea Parish Church 10 August 1917.
Elfreda was 25 and daughter of Samuel and Emma Dixon from Well House Cottage, West Mersea.
Arthur was born November 1890, son of Pollie and Francis Hillaby of Whitwell. He enlisted 30 December 1914 and joined the Territorial Force 8th Res. Sherwood Foresters at Newark.
Arthur was discharged at Walton on the Naze 28 Apr 1916 as medically unfit for service. He was buried at Whitwell Parish Church 11 November 1918.

Elfreda Maud Hillaby, widow, married Oliver Henry 'Tim' Mole of Queens Corner, West Mersea on 26 February 1921 at West Mersea Parish Church. Oliver was son of Harry [ Henry ] and Ellen Mole. Maud and 'Tim' had two sons - Geoffrey and Harold Mole.

George Hillaby was born 18 December 1917. In 1939 he was living at Pemberton, Mersea Avenue, with Oliver and Elfreda Mole; occupation market gardener.

Maud and Tim Mole

WO166/4543 - 18th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, Lydd
30 September 1940 08.30. No. 6094789 Fus. Hillaby G. and No. 6094570 Fus. Slater J. accidentally killed whilst handling an unexploaded shell.
1 October 1939 09.00. Enquiry presented [..] by Major Literga M.C. 2/1/C into deaths of 6904789 Fusilier Hillaby G. and 6904570 Fusilier Slater J. who were accidentally killed 30 Sept 1940 handling an unexploded shell
11.45 - Inquest. Town Hall, Lydd. [...] 'Accidental Death'.

Soldier's Funeral. The funeral took place on Monday afternoon at West Mersea of Pte. George Ernest Hillerby [sic], son of Mrs Mole (late Hillerby) and Mr Mole of Pemberton, Mersea Avenue. Pte. Hillerby, who was 22, died on active service at a south-east coast town last week.
...

G.E. Hillaby. Barfield Road Cemetery West Mersea
"I think of him in silence. I oft repeat his name. What would I give to see him smile again."
Love, Mum

With thanks to
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Roger Bullen
Carol Wyatt

Mersea and World War 2
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