Private Charles “Charlie” William Hill was born in Cobden, Ontario on November 20^th, 1895, son of Benjamin and Martha Hill. He enlisted with the 45^th Battalion in Brandon, Manitoba on May 6^th, 1915.

Shipping for England in March of 1916, he joined 43^rd Battalion in France beginning in June of 1916. He was killed in action on October 22^nd, 1917, and is buried in Nine Elms British Cemetery, West of Poperinghe, Belgium. 

Within the collection are letters and postcards written by Charlie to his family back in Boissevain, Manitoba, mainly addressed to his mother, father, and sisters Maud (“Maudess”), Ethel & Dorothy. He often writes about his experiences as a member of the battalion band, and the collection includes a trench-newspaper style “souvenir paper” The Star-Shell produced by the 43^rd Battalion Brass Band in July of 1916 while serving in France (listed under the “Newspaper Articles” heading in Collection Contents below). Also included are various, photos, postcards, and keepsakes from Pte. Hill’s time playing with the Chaplain Service, Canadian Corps.

External links:
Pte. Hill's service record (Reg/Ser# 424913) is available online through Library and Archives Canada.
Burial information is available at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission site.
A memorial page honouring Hill can be visited online at the Canadian Virtual War Memorial.