World War I Roll of Honour - The Clove Club Hackney Downs School

Hill, L.J.
Bugler, No.6 Coy, 12th (Reserve) Battalion County of London
Regiment (83/14). Bugler, 12th London Regiment (86/15). Reported as Lce-Cpl. 25th Reserve Batt.,
County of London Regt. (88/16) Cpl. serving in India (91/17).
Corporal Hill wrote to The Review in 1917:
“Many old boys, as evidence by the correspondence columns of the Review, have written on the subject
of their experiences in France and elsewhere. It may possibly not be known that at least two are ‘doing their
bit’ further away from the Old Country than the majority.
“It was nearly two years after joining up before it came to my turn to leave England, when I was
selected for a draft which was being sent out here. The journey in itself was full of interest, as our boat touched
at most of the important places en route, including Salonica, where we landed a large number of troops.
“On arriving at Bombay we were told that our destination was Bangalore, where we joined this unit,
having travelled the 600 miles overland under most comfortable circumstances. Since the ‘Sind’ disaster last
year, much greater care is taken in the movement of troops, and there is now no cause of complaint as to
conditions of railway transport.
“In India, Thursdays are general holidays in the Army, and all work on other days is done before 1
p.m., except during manœuvres in the cold season. Our parades were from 6.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m., and
although our afternoons were free, the almost continuous nature of the morning parades quite made up for the
afternoon’s rest.
“If this battalion does not go on active service, the probability is that our next journey will be to a hill
station, where we should remain all the summer which lasts from March to about October, though everyone
hopes the war will be over before then.
“A great surprise and pleasure awaited me on arrival here in my meeting A.D.Johnson, whom many
Old Boys will remember as having been at School from 1900-1906, and was one of the original prefects of
‘Britten’s.’ He is also a member of this battalion, and joins me in sending kindest regards to the Head Master,
Assistant Masters, and all ‘Grocers’ past and present.”