Welcome back to the life of Walter George Hillier.
Before we begin, let’s have a quick reminder of what has happened so far in Walters life.

Walter George Hillier, aka the Governor, was born on Tuesday the 3rd of September, 1867, at Tapnage, Titchfield, Hampshire, England, to Walter Hillier and Caroline Hillier nee Abraham.
Walters Mum, Caroline Hillier nee Abraham, sadly passed away on the 2nd of March 1874.
After Caroline’s death, Walters father, Walter, moved the family back to his family’s roots, to a small Village called, Lockerley, in Hampshire. Walter and his brother Edward Hillier, were sent to live with Walters Grandmother, Elizabeth Moody nee Hillier nee Grist.
His Brother Enos went to stay/live with their Cousin, Hugh Abraham and his wife Ellen, in Braishfield, Romsey.
His other Brother Harry, went to stay/live with his Uncle and Aunt, Bingham and Mary Abraham, in Brownhill, Nursling, Southampton, Hampshire, England.
Their Father, Walter Hillier, went to work at the Mill Arms Hotel, in Dunbridge, Mottifont, Hampshire, where he worked as an Ostler. He also resided at the Mill Arms Hotel.
On Wednesday the 13th of April 1892, Walter George married Mary Ann Moody, at the Register Office, Romsey, Hampshire, England.
Between the years 1893 to 1917 they birthed 8 children, 5 boys, Frederick, Enos, Richard, George and Walter and three girls, Annie, Elizabeth and Winifred.
Heartbreakingly for Walter and his family, life changed unrecognisably, when Walters beloved wife, Mary Ann Hillier nee Moody, died at the terribly young age of 47, at their home, Stanbridge Farm, Awbridge, Romsey, Hampshire, England
Mary Ann died from Albuminuria and Puerperal Eclampsia.

We are all caught up but if you want to know more, you can read part one here.
Shall we continue?

The Life of Walter George Hillier, Part 2

Welcome back to the year 1921, King George V was on the throne, it was the 31st government and David Lloyd George (Coalition) was Prime Minister.    
Unemployment stood at 927,000. seventeen people are killed when two passenger trains collide head-on in Montgomeryshire.    
The unveiling of the War Memorial in the War Memorial Park, Romsey by the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire Major General Seely on June 22nd 1921. Romsonians have gathered here since to commemorate those who made the supreme sacrifice and to support those who still suffer from the conflicts that continue till the present day. 

“We will remember them”

Desperate for fuel during the 1921 miner’s strike locals gather at Broadland’s Sawmill for logs.

At some point over the last few years, Walter found peace in the company of a lady called Adah.
And on Thursday, the 13th of January, 1921, 53 year old Walter, married 41 year old, Miss Adah Jane Young, daughter of Mr. John Young and Mrs. Mary Young nee Tutchell.
Walter and Adah, married at the Register Office, Romsey Hampshire, England.
Their witnesses were Adam Halliday and Francis Judd.
Walter and Adah, gave his residence as Standbridge Farm, Awbridge.
Their fathers were named as Walter Hillier, a Farm Labourer (deceased)and John Young, a Navel Pensioner.

Had they married for love? Companionship? Help with the children? I really do hope love was the driving force.

It was soon time for the census to be taken and on the eve of Sunday the 19th of June, 1921, the 1921 Census was completed, which shows Walter, his new wife Ada Jane, and Walters children, Elizabeth Kate, Robert Enos, Richard Frank, Henry George, Winifred Maud and Walter Frank, were still residing at, Parsonage Farm, Awbridge, Michelmersh, Romsey, Hampshire, England.
Walter was working as a General Farmer, employing his sons Robert, Richard and Henry.

Jumping forwarded 10 years to the year 1831, Walter was featured in the Hampshire Advertiser, on the the 21st February 1931.
It reads,

A summons against Walter G Hillier, Awbridge, for keeping a dog without a licence was dismissed on payment of costs.

The following year, Walters uncle , David Barry Moody, a smallholder, sadly died on Sunday the 17th of January 1932, at the Bungalow, Awbridge, Hampshire, England, when he was 76 years old. David died from, Carcinoma of the Stomach (Gyloric).

Walter, registered his death on Monday the 18th of January 1932, in Romsey, Hampshire, England. 

David was laid to rest on the 21st January 1932, at All Saints Church, Awbridge, Hampshire.
He was buried in the same section of the churchyard as his Mum and Other family members.

You may be wondering why I mention David? Well I’m not so sure what their relationship was like, but while researching I came across David’s probate, which was granted on the 12th April 1932 in London.
It reads, 

Moody David of The Bungalow Awbridge near Romsey Hampshire died 17 January 1932 Probate London 12 April to Walter George Hillier farmer.. Effects £107 2s. 7d.

I had to dig deeper in hopes I would learn more about not only Walters character but David’s also. My Curiosity got the better of me, I just couldn’t stop questioning why Walter had been named in David’s probate. I had to try and locate David’s will, which isn’t the easiest task and sometime mega expensive. Thankfully luck was on my side and I located a copy pretty quickly and discovered that on the 09th of January 1932, David Barry Moody, had written his last will and testament, at Abbey Water Solicitors, Romsey, Hampshire, England.

Unfortunately for me, my eyes are too damaged to even begin to try and work out what is written but Sarah came to my rescue and translated it, the best she could.

It reads,

I David Moody of the Bungalow Awbridge, near Romsey in the county of Southampton small holder (retired) hereby remove all wills and testament at any time hereby made by me and declare this to be my last Will which I made this ninth day of January one thousand nine hundred and thirty two. I appoint Walter George Hillier of Yew Tree Farm Awbridge aforesaid farmer to be executor of this my will. I direct payment of all my ….. debts funeral and …. Testament expenses I give devise and bequeath all my estate and effects of whatsoevernature and …. And whatsoever….. both real and personal and whether in ….. is on reminder ….. expectancy or of …… interest or otherwise unto the said Walter George Hillier for his own use and benefit. In witness thereof I the Said David Moody have hereunto set my hand to this my will the day and the year first above written.
signed by the testator David Moody as and for his last Will in the presents of us both being present at the same time, who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses.
Gross valve of the estate £107-2-7
1932.

Although David’s will. Doesn’t give anything away about their characters, it has definitely intrigued to my curiosity, as to why he solely left Walter everything, when he had many nephews and nieces. Walters inheritance of £107 in 1932 is equivalent in purchasing power to about £8,301.45 today, an increase of £8,194.45 over 90 years. The pound had an average inflation rate of 4.95% per year between 1932 and today, producing a cumulative price increase of 7,658.36%.
This means that today’s prices are 77.58 times higher than average prices since 1932, according to the Office for National Statistics composite price index. A pound today only buys 1.289% of what it could buy back then.

Sadly more death followed. On Monday, the 22nd of February, 1932, at Walters home, Yew Tree Farm, Awbridge, Romsey, Hampshire, England, Walters Auntie Elizabeth Hillier died from Acute Bronchitis and Vascular Disease Of The Heart (Initial).
Walter was present and registered her death on Wednesday the 24th of February 1932. 
It is believed that a few days before her death Elizabeth, was carried from her home, The Bungalow, which is now known as Rosemary Croft, to Walters home, Yew Tree Farm.

Elizabeth was laid to rest in, All Saints Churchyard, All Saints Church, Awbridge, Romsey, Hampshire, England, on Friday, the 26th of February, 1932. She was the 247 burial at the church. She was buried next to her brother David Barry Moody.
Elizabeth was laid to rest in the south section of the cemetery with many of her relatives.

You can read more about Elizabeth’s fascinating life here.

Jumping forward to the 22nd of May, 1937, Walter was once again featured in the, Hampshire Advertiser. Unfortunately its not the clearest article, hopefully you can work it out.

Jumping forward once again, to the year, 1939, the year that became famous for all the wrong reasons, the year we went to war with possibly the evilest man in history, Adolf Hitler. The year that changed so many lives, lost too many life’s and scared so many many more. 
The older generations knew to well the pain of war, and I’m sure they shuddered in their boots at the thought of what was coming. 
It was an impressive year for the military, the Royal Armoured Corps was formed, the Women’s Royal Naval Service was re-established, the Military Training Act (came into force 3 June) introduces conscription; men aged 20 and 21 had to undertake six months military training. The Royal Armoured Corps was formed, the Women’s Land Army re-formed to work in agriculture, All men aged 20–21 had to register with the military authorities, the first bomb landed in the U.K, at Hoy in the Orkney Islands, the first Anderson shelter is built in London and so much more. I’m sure each and every person in the United Kingdom’s would have been super proud of our Armed forces and though they must have been petrified of what was to come, English pride and honour would help them through the dark years that were to follow.
In December 1938 it was announced in the House of Commons that in the event of war, a National Register would be taken that listed the personal details of every civilian in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. This Register was to be a critical tool in coordinating the war effort at home. It would be used to issue identity cards, organise rationing and more.  
On September 1st, 1939 Germany invaded Poland, putting the wheels in motion for Britain to declare war on the 3rd. On September 5th, the National Registration Act received royal assent and Registrar General Sir Sylvanus Vivian announced that National Registration Day would be September 29th.
The 1939 Register, then, represents one of the most important documents in 20th century Britain. The information it contains not only helped toward the war effort, it was also used in the founding of the NHS. 
Today the 1939 Register, helps trillions of people across the world, piece together their own family’s history and although it was taken for the worst possible reasons it has proved to be a very significant document to all us Family history enthusiasts.

It shows us that Walter had moved from Parsonage Farm, Awbridge, and on the 29th September, 1939, Walter, Adah, and Walters sons, Richard and Walter, and Adah’s sister, Annie Amor nee Young (Mary Ann), were residing at, Yew Tree Farm, Awbridge, Romsey, Hampshire, England.

Walter was working as a General Farmer, Adah was a house wife doing unpaid domestic duties, Richard Frank was a Cowboy and Walter Frank was a farm Carter.
Annie Amor a widower was also doing unpaid domestic duties.
There have been family rumours, that Annie often shared Walters bed. How true this is we will never know.
If the rumours are true, how on earth did Adah feel about her husband and her sister, sharing their marital bed.
Was she content with Walter having the affection of another woman, not just any woman but her sister.
Not sure I would be happy if my hubby was doing the business with my sister, especially while I was in the house.

Life once again was turned upside down, as on Monday the 30th of September, 1940, Walters wife of 19 years, Mrs. Adah Jane Hillier nee Young, sadly passed way at their home, Yew Tree Farm, Awbridge, Romsey, Hampshire, when she was 67 years old.

Rumour has it, Ada fell down the stairs which aided towards her death but on receiving her death certificate it shows, she died from, Natural causes and Vascular Disease of heart (natural).
Winifred Maud Hardy nee Hillier, Ada’s stepdaughter, was present and registered her death on Thursday the 3rd of October, 1940, in Romsey.

Adah was laid to rest by Rev E Russell, on Thursday the 3rd of October, 1940, in All Saints Churchyard, All Saints Church, Awbridge, Romsey, Hampshire, in the south section in row E. Ada sadly does not have a headstone.

Rest In Peace,
Adah Jane Hillier Nee Young,
1873-1940.
To live in the hearts of those we love is not to die.

Adah’s probate was granted on the 19th December 1940, it reads, 

HILLIER Adah Jane of Yew Tree Awbridge near Romsey Hampshire (wife of Walter Hillier) died 30 September 1940 Administration Llandudno 19 December to the said Walter George Hillier farmer. Effects £167 4s

I feel this is a good point to stop, so you don’t become overwhelmed by the amount of information yet to come.
please pop back next week to continue the fascinating life of Walter.

Before I go, if you are related to Walter, his ancestors and descendants, please free free to join, “The Hillier Family History” group, on Facebook. We would love to hear from you. You can find it here.
Until next time,
Stay safe, stay true, stay you.
Too-da-loo for now.

🦋🦋🦋

Sarah and I, have brought and paid for all certificates throughout, Intwined.blog.
Please do not download or use them without my permission.
All you have to do is ask.
The same goes for the treasured family photos.
Please be respectful.
Thank you