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WW1
Hilder, Basil Richard From Cadet to Soldier.
During 1911 he left Tasmania and became a much-esteemed resident of King Island. In May, 1915, he made application for enlistment in the Australian Imperial Force, but had to come to Tasmania from the island in order to pass the medical examination. Entering Claremont training camp with a small contingent of comrades he was selected for the 6th reinforcements of 15th Battalion; ordered for service abroad, and left Melbourne June 4, 1915, per troopship Ajana. Pte Hilder, with his contingent, was actually on Gallipoli by July 30, 1915, occupying some of the original dugouts of the storming troops of the A.I.F. who made Australia famous on April 25, 1915. Early in August General Sir Ian Hamilton was preparing for his great attack on Chunuk Bair and Hill 971 inland north-east of the original Anzac area. By August 6 the preparations were considered complete, and the raw recruits of the 15th Battalion, who three months before were civilian workers, enjoying the comfort of home in Tasmania, were called to do their part in dislodging the Turks from their strongly entrenched positions. An Uncompleted Trench Card. The following is a copy of an uncompleted trench card written by Pte B. R. Hilder: "6th Aug.: We go out to-night to take Hill 971: may we succeed. The troops engaged in action are the 4th Brigade Infantry, one brigade of New Zealanders, and two brigades of Gurkas. We leave our bivouac and attack the positions, and dig ourselves in about daylight." This card ends abruptly, and was evidently intended for completion and signature after the position had been captured and the digging in successfully completed. Alas, it was the last card and never completed. For how well we all know of the sad reverse that befell General Hamilton's forces on August 7 and 8, 1915. The card and other personal belongings were taken from Pte. B. R. Hilder's body (discovered on the battle field) and actually reached his parents at King street, Burnie, on New Year's Day, 1916. Among tho personal belongings re turned was the identification disc, 2290, B. R. Hilder, IC A.I.F. In September, 1915, the Defence Department notified the parents that Pte Hilder was posted missing, and later that he had fallen in action on Aug. 8, 1915, and no further information regarding him could be supplied officially. But after the evacuation from Gallipoli a comrade of the Pioneers, who had escaped the 8th of August slaughter, was able to supply some further personal information regarding how Pte. Hilder fell and how his personal belongings were obtained. So, in the Official Memorial Register, No. 6, of the Lone Pine Memorial, Gallipoli, appears the following record: Hilder, Pte Basil Richard, 2290, 15th Batt. Killed in action 8th August, 1915. Age 20. Son of Richard and Amelia Hilder, of King street, Burnie West, Tasmania. The Advocate Burnie 1st June 1929
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Pte Hilder, B.R. ("Dick"), No. 2290, 15th Battalion,
A.I.P., was the fourth son of Richard and the late
Amelia Hilder, and was born at Hill Farm, Mooreville
road, Burnie, on November 7, 1894. He was educated at
the Burnie State school, and became a cadet among the
military units in the town. He followed farming pursuits
after leaving school, and grew rapidly to vigorous young
manhood.