"A tragic affair occurred in the 2nd Battalion lines on March 3rd. Captain R.J. Hill M.C., and 2nd Lieut. D. McLean were fatally shot without apparent reason by a private of the Battalion Transport, who, presumably insane, subsequently shot himself. A funeral service was held in the Hondeghem Cemetery on the following day was attended by representatives of each company and of other branches of the Division." [Byrnes -Official History of the Otago Regiment]
"HILL.—On March 3, accidentally killed in France, Captain Roland Justus (Jack) Hill, M.C., beloved husband of Catherine Ann Hill, 114 Carroll street, Dunedin, and son of R. J. Hill, Esq., 40 Shalimar Gardens, Acton, London; in his 33rd year." [Evening Star, Issue 16680, 12 March 1918, Page 4]
Citations:
M.C:- Quartermaster and Honorary Lieut, 2nd Btn, Otago Reg.
London Gazette 1st Jan 1918, p53, Rec no 1184
Operations Messines 7th to 12th June and operations opposite Warneton 14th to 19th June 1917. For conspicuous gallantry and deovotion to duty. As Quartermaster to his battalion this officer has displayed the greatest gallantry and devotion to duty in personally taking forward rations and supplies up to the front line, he himself superintending their distribution under heavy shellfire. His energy and initiative have at all times invoked the highest praise and it has been mainly due to his efforts that the fighting men in the front line have never run short of food or water. He is deserving of special disinction.
M.I.D :- London Gazette 1st June 1917, p5429, Rec No 633
British Front Armentieres and Operations Somme 20th September - 2nd October 1916. This Officer has held the appointment of Quartermaster to his Battalion for the past 11 months and has carried out the duties with conspicuous success. On all occasion the Battalion has been well fed and equiped and especially during the operations on the Somme. Lieut Hill was untiring in his efforts to ensure that the men in the front line recieved their rations, water and ammunition regularly. This he never failed to do and personally accompanied the rations to the Battalion dumps under heavy shellfire to ensure their safe arrival.
Source: Honours & Awards to the NZEF in the Great War by Wayne McDonald
