Four: Major H. R. “Glaxo” Hill, 7th (Airborne) Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers, who was killed in action at Arnhem

1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals, together with original Army Council condolence slip in the name of ‘Major H. R. Hill’, extremely fine (4) £300-350

Henry Ralph “Glaxo” Hill was born in Behar, India in November 1905 and was commissioned into the 1st Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers in January 1925, after attending Marlborough and Sandhurst. In late 1931 he went out to India to join the 2nd Battalion, in which he served until 1934 when he transferred to East Africa for a tour of duty with the 6th Battalion, King’s Africa Rifles, returning home in to another appointment in the 1st Battalion, K.O.S.B. in September 1937. He subsequently served out in France with the B.E.F. from October 1939 to February 1940, following which he volunteered for another tour of duty in Africa, this time in the rank of Major in the 7th Battalion, Nigeria Regiment, a component of the West African Frontier Force. Compelled to return home in the course of 1942, as a result of illness, on his recovery he was posted to the 7th (Airborne) battalion, K.O.S.B., a component of No. 1 Air Landing Brigade, in March 1943. Thus ensued his journey to Arnhem, where he was killed in action on 18 September 1944. A fine tribute to his gallant actions in that memorable battle is to be found in a letter sent to his widow by Lieutenant-Colonel A. Peyton-Reid, his C.O., dated back in England on 27 September 1944:

‘I am afraid I have to break to you the tragic news that your husband was killed in action on Monday 18th Sept. I have just arrived back here and am writing at once, before you have time to hear rumours from other sources.

“Glaxo” was simply marvellous in action. In the short period of fighting before he was hit he had already distinguished himself as a fearless man, and a cool and courageous leader. During that day we were being constantly threatened by parties of enemy who kept closing round our flanks. In order to counter this Glaxo took out a small party of men to clear the wood where the trouble came from. There followed terrific sounds of firing from that direction and after a while one of the men came back with a report that the wood was full of Germans. Later, however, the firing died down and Glaxo appeared, smiling all over his face, saying: “I’ve had the best morning for years. Got two Bosch to my own gun.” He really was delighted and taking a great pleasure in it all. He also dispelled the rumours regarding the numbers of the enemy, and altogether had a most steadying influence on all ranks.

That afternoon, the Parachutists landed on the area we had been protecting for them. Though we had pretty well cleared it there were still a few Bosch about so we all carried out a sweep forward to deal with these. Glaxo was very much in evidence, both in leading his men forward and in warning them against doing anything foolish. On the way we had to cross a built-up road, like a railway embankment, and as he and I, and two others, went across this, a German machine-gun opened on us, firing straight down the road. We all fell flat, but unfortunately Glaxo had got it through the head. He was killed outright, of course, so was caused no suffering ... ’

Sold with several photocopied documents, as supplied by Major Hill’s son, including one of this letter and two others of a similar nature, together with a copy of his Record of Service (Army Form B199A).