Real memorial obituaries – Combe Down, Monkton Combe, Midford

In memoriam et celebrationem

In memorial and celebration

DEATH OF MR. A. C. HILLIER

HEAD OF BATH FIRM OF SOLICITORS

GREAT WAR INJURIES

We regret to announce the death, which took place on Sunday at his residence, Moresby, Combe Down, of the well-known Bath solicitor, Mr. Alfred Charles Hillier, of the firm of Hillier, Naish & Co., Old Bond Street. He was only 46 years of age.

A forceful and brilliant advocate, an astute lawyer, and one who had won high regard in the courts, he played a leading part in a number of important cases in Bath and district.

The eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Hillier, of 12, Hanover Street, Bath, he was educated at King Edward's School, Bath, and articled to Dr. J. S. Carpenter, the present Mayor.

The last war, however, interrupted his legal career and he applied to join the Highland Light Infantry, but found himself in the R.A.S.C., M.T., with whom he served in France.

WAR EXPERIENCES

He was blown up at Messines and suffered considerably in health. He underwent a severe
abdominal operation at Aldershot from which he never properly recovered and several years ago he underwent a month's treatment at Wiesbaden.

On his return from the war he gathered experience as confidential clerk to a firm of solicitors at Luton and then as managing clerk with a legal firm at Merthyr Tydfil, Returning to Bath he began practice on his own account and subsequently took into partnership Mr. S. G. U. Considine. That partnership was dissolved in October, 1932, and subsequently Mr. S. E. Naish joined him.

A member of the Royal Cumberland Lodge of Freemasons (41), he was W.M. in 1937, succeeding Wor. Bro. W. Howard Collins.

Outside his large practice he had few interests, but he was very fond of cinematography and entertained his friends with films of his own making. He was a member of the Royal Literary and Scientific Institution,

ATTACKED LEGAL SYSTEM

In 1934 he was invited to stand for election to the Bathavon R.D.C. for Combe Down in opposition to the late Capt. Daubeny, but he withdrew.

In 1932, speaking at the annual conference of the Law Society at Bristol, he make a courageous attack on our costly legal system, suggesting bold remedies to meet the situation, including the abolition of Assizes and the Long Vacation and the extension of the
powers of County Courts.

He leaves a widow and three sons, the eldest of whom is 17.

The funeral took place at Locksbrook Cemetery on Wednesday afternoon in the presence of many of his friends in various spheres in the city.

The service in the chapel in the cemetery and at the graveside was conducted by the Rev. Ernest Roberts. vicar of Combe Down.

The family mourners were Mr. Geoffrey Howard Hillier and Mr. Peter Humphrey Hillier
(sons), Mr. Percy Clifford Hillier and Mr. Cyril Courtney Hillier (brothers), Mr. Robert
Membery (uncle). Mr. Leslie William Lindars (brother-in-law) and Mr. B. C. Barber.

Mrs. A. C. Hillier, sen., was unable to attend owing to ill-health.

Mr. S. E. Naish, deceased's partner, attended, as also did members of the staff of Messrs. Hillier, Naish and Co.. viz., Mr. P. E. Grant. Mr. H. A. Newman, Mrs L. Dyer, Miss Bowyer and Miss Haines.

Masonic Representation.

Freemasons attending included Bros. W. F. Long, O. Edwards (Mid- somer Norton), Ernest Taylor (Rad- stock), W. Howard Collins, W. H. Axford, E. R. L. Fitzjohn, G. E. Hughes (representing the Bath Law Society), A, Godfrey Day, E. P. Mallory, T. E. Walrond. H. de Q. Walker, A. C. Phippen, E. T. Langley, Walter G. Lock, Douglas R. Bird, P. C. Clark, V. E, Dark, F. D. Butcher, R. H. Cobb, H. Brice Mundy, G. H.. Dickinson, R. Membery, B. C.
Barber, and W. E. Ford (tyler).

Also at the cemetery were Mr. and Mrs. E. Naish (Weston-super-Mare), Mrs. S. E. Naish, Miss Barnes, Mrs. Brooks, Mrs. W. Rushbridge, Mrs. K. E. Sumsion, Mrs. H. A, Newman, Mr. Harry Robinson, Mr. F. J. Power, Mr. J. Pitts (secretary), who with Mr. W. H, Axford (chairman) represented the Bath branch of the British Legion; Mrs. Letts, Mrs. W. Skinner,
Mrs. J. W. Hall, Mr. G. M. P. Williams, Messrs. S. J. Martin and E. A. Butcher (representing the staff of Messrs. Stone, King and Wardle), Mr. A. H. S. Berry (representing Messrs. T. Powell