Private Joseph Wilfred Hill
47115 7th North Staffordshire Regiment
54808 Royal Berkshire Regiment
Photo: Joseph Wilfred Hill stood in the doorway of his barber’s shop at King William Street, Ironville - Courtesy Ernie Hill
Joseph Wilfred Hill was born in 1894 in Jacksdale, son of Philip Aaron Hill, a colliery labourer from Codnor Park and Eliza (nee Clayton) born West Bromwich. Joseph had brothers Frank Clayton , George, Rowland Miles and a sister named Phyllis. All four of the Hill brothers served in WW1. Three returned but George was wounded at the Somme in 1916, dying of his wounds in December 1916. All four are listed on the Jacksdale War Memorial.
In 1911 his parents were living at ‘The Common’, Main Road, Jacksdale and Joseph, aged 17, single and a hairdresser, was living with them. Joseph was a recipient of the British War and Victory Medals.
On 6th August 1923 Joseph married Elsie Parkin, from New Row, Pye Hill. Joseph’s residence at the time is given as ‘Castle View’, Jacksdale. They went on to have two sons, George Ernest who later became a Reverend at St. Mary’s and Philip John Hill.