The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. C R Hill

Charles Richard Hill was born in Derby on 1st March 1914. He joined the RAFVR about March 1939 as an Airman u/t WOp/AG.

Called up on 1st September 1939, he completed his training and joined 141 Squadron in November 1939.

He served with the squadron throughout the Battle of Britain. On the night of 10th November 1940, flying with Sgt. RC Hamer, Hill probably shot down a Ju88.

On 15th December Hill was posted away to 255 Squadron at Kirton-in-Lindsey. He flew his first night patrol in a Defiant with it on 9th January 1941.

Hill was teamed up with F/Lt. JG Sanders, the 'A' Flight Commander, and they flew together until Sanders was posted away on 23rd June 1941. They claimed He111s probably destroyed during the nights of 11th and 13th March and a Ju88 damaged on 7th April.

In July Hill teamed up with Sgt. PS Kendall. The squadron began to re-equip with Beaufighters at about this time. Hill did a Radio Observers course in August/September, afterwards rejoining the squadron.

Commissioned in November 1941, Hill was serving with Kendall when they damaged a He111 near Birmingham during the night of 27th July 1942.

Both men were still with 255 when it left for North Africa on 14th November 1942. Kendall and Hill attacked and damaged a four-engined enemy aircraft during the night of 29th December 1942 near Bone.

On 7th January 1943 they destroyed a Cant Z1007 and on 24th May a Ju88.

Hill was awarded the DFC (gazetted 30th April 1943).

Hill stayed on in the RAF after the war. He retired on 13th April 1959 as a Squadron Leader.

He died on 20th October 1985.