Basil Richard Hilder (1894 - 1915)

Born 7 Nov 1894 in Emu Bay, Tasmania, Australia

Ancestors

Died 8 Aug 1915 at age 20 in Gallipoli, Gelibolu, Çanakkale, Turkey

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Jo Hilder [send private message]

Biography

Basil was born in 1894^[1]. He is the son of Richard Hilder and Amelia Hales.

According to his father, “he was educated at the Burnie State School, and became a cadet among the military units in the town. He followed farming pursuits after leaving school, and grew rapidly to vigorous young manhood. During 1911 he left Tasmania and became a much-esteemed resident of King Island.”^[2] He was working as a labourer^[3] , and had a girlfriend by the name of Miss Tatnell. ^[4]

In May 1915, at the age of 20, Basil enlisted as a private with the Australian Imperial Force at the same time as his younger brother Arden. He set sail from Melbourne on the 4th of June 1915 on the “Ajana”. He was with the 6th reinforcements of the 15th Battalion, No. 2290.

As Richard Hilder described it: "Pte. Hilder, with his contingent, was actually on Gallipoli by July 30, 1915, occupying some of the original dugouts of the storming troops of the A.I.F. who made Australia famous on April 25, 1915.

Early in August General Sir Ian Hamilton was preparing for his great attack on Chunuk Bair and Hill 971, inland north-east of the original Anzac area. By August 6 the preparations were considered complete, and the raw recruits of the 15th Battalion, who three months before were civilian workers, enjoying the comfort of home in Tasmania, were called to do their part in dislodging the Turks from their strongly entrenched positions Basil was one of many who lost their lives there. He was originally reported as wounded and his parents received a telegram to this effect on the 14th of September. "^[5]

Mrs. Richard Hilder, of Burnie, received a postcard from her son, Private Basil R. Hilder, on Saturday. It was written from "Gallipoli Dugouts" on August 3, several days before he was wounded. He was then in good spirits, and said that his brother, Arden Hilder, had caught the measles, and had to go into hospital at Zetoun Camp, Egypt. ^[6]

His parents were not advised of his death until the end of September: "Rev. F. J. Rankin had sad news to break to Mr. and Mrs. Richard Hilder of King street, Burnie, yesterday afternoon, an official report from the Defence Department having reached him that their son, Private B. R. Hilder, had fallen in action, on 8th August whilst assisting to capture Anafarta heights. Private Hilder was reported wounded on 8th August, but no particulars could be obtained until yesterday, which told of his death in action. The telegram conveyed the deepest sympathy for the stricken parents. This is the first break in the family of 10 sons and daughters. Private Hilder only left Tasmania on June 2 with the 6th Reinforcements, 15th Battalion, having volunteered from King Island about a month before. The second son of Mr. and Mrs. Hilder is at Gallipoli, and the youngest, A. R. Hilder (Fred) is about to leave Tasmania with the 11th Reinforcements of 15th Battalion. ^[7]

A photo of Miss Tatnell was found on his body and an uncompleted trench card written 2 days before his death.

According to Richard Hilder, Basil’s mother, Amelia was seriously affected by his death, suffering “heartbreak of the loss and uncertain burying place of her dear son”, and subsequent serious health problems and “was never again the vigorous woman of her earlier years”.

Sources

1. ↑ Tasmanian Birth Registration, viewed through Tasmanian Names Index, https://linctas.ent.sirsidynix.net.au/client/en_AU/names/search/results?qu=hilder&qu=hales&qf=NI_INDEX%09Record+type%09Births%09Births&st=PA#
2. ↑ Richard Hilder’s Chronology and Brief History of the Richard and Amelia Hilder family written for his son Milton James Hilder (1932-33)
3. ↑ As noted on enlistment documents
4. ↑ Richard Hilder’s Chronology of Richard and Amelia Hilder written for his daughter Hannah (displayed in Burnie Museum in 2015)
5. ↑ Richard Hilder’s Chronology and Brief History of the Richard and Amelia Hilder family written for his son Milton James Hilder (1932-33)
6. ↑ "PERSONAL PARTICULARS." Examiner, 21 Sep 1915
7. ↑ The North Western Advocate and the Emu Bay Times, Wednesday 29 September 1915