Harkey Merlin Hill - 424395

Ribbons for the British War Medal and Victory Medal

              Harkey Merlin Hill was born in Brigden, Ontario on 19 December 1887 to Mr. J.J. Hill, Esq. and Mrs. A Hill.  Leaving his job as a Store Clerk, Harkey enlisted with the Canadian Expeditionary Force on 28 December 1914. His service began as a Private with the 45th Battalion.

              One year into his service, Private Hill sailed from Montreal to England in September of 1915.  There, he was taken on strength with the 32nd Reserve Battalion.  In December of that year, Private Hill contracted Influenza, and remained in the hospital in Shornecliffe for a week before being transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital in Bear Wood, Wokingham, Berkshire.  He was cleared for service two weeks later, in January of 1916.

              Following his release from the hospital, Private Hill was transferred to the 28th Battalion, and was deployed to the field in March of 1916.  Harkey Merlin Hill was killed in Action on 6 June 1916.  He is memorialized on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial in Belgium.  His name on the Menin Gate likely means his body was never found, and still rests beneath the battlefield.

References: A. https://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.item/?op=pdf&app=CEF&id=B4351-S015

B. https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/1593043/harkey-merlin-hill/

C. https://www.cwgc.org/visit-us/find-cemeteries-memorials/cemetery-details/91800/ypres-menin-gate-memorial/