ANZAC Search

John Frederick Hilder - Information

John Frederick was a son of Thomas James and Eliza Naomi Hilder. The Hilders originally resided in Picton where John was born in 1900. In the 1900s, the Hilders then moved to Milton Park in Ingleburn, where John began working as a farmer. The war would have a significant impact on the Hilder family. In 1915, his two older brothers, Thomas and William enlisted in the AIF and left for war. Sadly, Thomas died of illness in November 1916. Unfortunately, John and his family were not the only ones in the area suffering a loss. It would have been most difficult for Thomas and Eliza, when John also decided to sign up on the 12th of September 1917 in Sydney. John lied about his age to enlist, claiming he was 21. John commenced his training at the Royal Showground Camp, and then the M & D Depot in Liverpool in September. Here, he was posted to the 1st Pioneer Battalion as a Private. He departed Sydney upon the HMAT Ulysses on the 19th of December 1917.

John arrived in Southampton in mid February 1918, and was marched out to the Pioneer Training Battalion in Sutton Veny. He was then taken to the Western Front in France, and was transferred to the 4th Pioneer Battalion in early September. After the war ended, John was detached to the Railway Battalion as part of the loading party from the 8th of March 1919 until 16th of April. In June, he was transported back to England, leaving for Australia in mid July.