FRANK HILL

DEATH OF MR FRANK HILL

MAYOR OF NEWBURY FOR TWO YEARS IN SUCCESSION

We regret to record the death of Councillor Frank Hill which occurred on Tuesday at the age of 71. During the last two or three years he had not enjoyed good health owing to attacks of bronchitis, but the suddenness of his passing came as a big shock to his many friends, for he had been out and about with his usual cheerfulness until quite recently. Only a week ago last Monday he attended a Town Council meeting. Then he was taken ill a day or two after and died about 2.30 on Tuesday afternoon.

Mr. Hill was a native of High Wycombe, where he was born on February 26th 1863. He was apprenticed to chair-making and at the age of 28 he went out into the world as a traveller for a furnishing firm. In this capacity he became intimate with the busy centres of the north of England and was familiar with every part of London. His association with Newbury began in 1910, when he was obliged to leave high Wycombe for the sake of his wife's health. He remained here ever since, and became the landlord of the Railway Hotel. As he often would remark, he never regretted coming to Newbury.

It was in 1919 that Mr Hill first came forward as a candidate for the Town Council as a representative for the East Ward. He went in at the top of the poll and it is a remarkable tribute to his popularity, that in every subsequent contested election – in 1922, 1925 and 1931- he was again returned at the top. In 1928 and this year he went in unopposed.

As Chairman of the Allotments Committee since 1923, he carried out his duties most conscientiously.

THE LATE FRANK HILL

Mr. Hill was elected as Mayor in 1925 and served for two years. He fulfilled his duties with much keen eagerness and a due regard to the high office he held.

Essentially a generous man, he was always ready to help a deserving institution or anybody who needed assistance. He genuinely fond of children, and as long ago as just after the War he gave the “Hill” Cup to encourage football in the schols. In fact some of his happiest experiences during his Mayoralty were in attending little functions at the schools or watching the final of his cup. His keenness to benefit the rising generation found expression in the generous gifts of sports equipment to the town elementary schools which he made just before concluding his term of office. He also strongly advocated the provision of a schools' playing field, and as his ambition could not be realised he secured the use of a meadow as a temporary ground. But it was not only his generosity which made him so popular with the children. He had a way with him which immediately endeared him to the youngsters.

He was always cheerful and optimistic, even though his health was sometime not to good.

In his younger days, Mr Hill was a member of the old Bucks Volunteers and it is interesting to note that he acted as a guard of honour at Disraeli's funeral. Since coming to Newbury he was for several years chairman of the Licensed Victuallers' Association.

Mr Hill leaves a widow, a son and a daughter.

The funeral takes place at the parish church on Saturday at 2.30pm

Newbury Weekly News 29 November 1934

Sources:Newbury Weekly News 29 November 1934