1st Battalion The King's Royal Rifle Corps

Born:
8 September 1879 - Hospital Street, Birmingham.

Died:
KIA Delville Wood, France, 27 July 1916.

Buried:
Delville Wood Cemetery.
Plot IV. Row C. Grave 3.
Headstone.

CITATION

For most conspicuous bravery. On the 27th July 1916 at Delville Wood, the enemy made a very strong counter-attack on the right flank of the battalion and rushed the bombing post after killing all the company bombers. Sergeant Gill at once rallied the remnants of his platoon, none of whom were skilled bombers, and reorganised his defences, a most difficult and dangerous task, the trench being very shallow and much damaged. Soon afterwards the enemy nearly surrounded his men by creeping up through the thick undergrowth and commenced sniping at about twenty yards' range. Although it was almost certain death, Sergeant Gill stood boldly up in order to direct the fire of his men. He was killed almost at once, but not before he had shown his men where the enemy were and thus enabled them to hold up their advance. By his supreme devotion to duty and self-sacrifice, he saved a very dangerous situation.

Gazetted: 26 October 1916.

Investiture: His widow received the VC from the King at Buckingham Palace on 29 November 1916.

Other Medals: 1914-15 Star, BW, VM.

Location of Medals: Not publicly held.

Personal:
The following is quoted from a letter written to Mrs Rosetta Gill by Sergt. Gill's Commanding Officer, dated 16 August 1916: "The Adjutant has handed to me your letter of 8 Aug., as I was your late husband's Company Commander. I am afraid that it is quite true that your husband was killed in action on 27 July. He was shot through the head and must have died at once. He could have known nothing about it. I would have written to you before had I known your address, as your husband was one of the most valued men in my company - a man anyone would be proud to call friend. He was killed when rallying his men under a terrible fire, and had he lived, he would most certainly have got the DCM. I was quite close to him and he was quite cool, despite the very trying circumstances. The battalion had just taken a wood and the Germans were counter-attacking heavily. I am glad to say we drove them back and we have since received the thanks of everyone, from Sir Douglas Haig down. It was entirely owing to the heroic example and self-sacrifice of men like your husband that we did so well. He was loved by his platoon, of which I am sorry to say only four or five remain. That day's work will always remain fixed in my memory as the one in which I lost so many gallant comrades. I lost all the officers and sergeants in my company and very many of the men. You should justly be proud of your husband in his life and death. He had one of the finest natures I have ever known. No words of mine can express my sympathy with you in your terrible sorrow. May the memory of his heroic end support you."

Commemoration:
Name on Thiepval Memorial.