- Extended Description
- Hector HILES. 1st Class Stoker SS109881 Royal Navy on HMS Goliath.
Born 1 July 1880 at Mill Street, Comber, County Down, Ireland to Thomas and Mariah Hilles, nee Carson.
1901 with his parents and siblings at Mill Street. 1911 on HMS Minerva moored at R.N. Dockyard, Malta.
Married 28 September 1907 to Cassie Crossen at St Mark’s Church, Dundela, Holywood. At the time of marriage both resided at 20 Westminster Street, Holywood.
He joined the navy at Chatham, civilian occupation, stoker at Belfast shipyard. Harland and Wolff
31 May 1910 he was at HMS Pembroke II (HMS Pembroke was the name given to a shore barracks at Chatham.) as Stoker Class 2. He served on many ships last one being Goliath which he joined as Stoker Class 1 from 25 April 1913 until the sinking of the ship 13 May 1915 by Turkish destroyer Muavenet-i-Milliye who fired three torpedoes at the ship, he was aged 33 His body was never recovered. His wife Catherine was informed of his death. She was residing at 93 Derwent Street, Belfast.
On the family headstone the following inscription was inscribed by his brother Thomas George Hiles. (4295) 3rd Dragoon Guards.
In loving memory of his brother the above named HECTOR HILES who fell fighting for his King and Country on board H.M.S. Goliath, in the Dardanelles, 13 May 1915 aged 33 years (1st Class Stoker)
Commemorated on his parents’ headstone in St Mary’s Churchyard, Comber, County Down, Northern Ireland, also on the Chatham Naval Memorial, Kent.
