Published Monday, 11th March 2019

Guardsman Hill Drive was officially unveiled by the Mayor of Reigate & Banstead on Friday 8 March (2019) in tribute to Redhill soldier James Hill.

Guardsman Hill Drive was officially unveiled by the Mayor of Reigate & Banstead on Friday 8 March (2019) in tribute to Redhill soldier James Hill. A Lance Corporal in the Coldstream Guards, James was killed in action in Helmand Province, Afghanistan in 2009.

The road which leads into Redstone Cemetery, Redhill (Surrey) was named in his honour to mark ten years since his sad passing.

Honouring James' memory

Guardsman Hill Drive road name unveiled by the Mayor, Cllr Dorothy Ross-TomlinThe Mayor, Cllr Dorothy Ross-Tomlin, said: “We wanted to honour the memory of James Hill, a fine young man who was born and raised in our borough, a borough that is proud of him.

“James was a brave and kind man who was much loved by his family and highly regarded by his friends as a friend and mentor.

“I was deeply honoured in November to lead the remembrance of the fallen in our borough, but it impressed upon me how crucial it is for us to continue to remember and respect our heroes.

“By commemorating James’s sacrifice by naming this road after him, he will always be remembered in our borough.”

Following the unveiling, buglers from the Coldstream Guards played The Last Post, which was followed by a minute’s silence and the Reveille.

The ceremony was attended by James’ parents Mr Brian and Mrs Claire Hill, family, friends and members of his unit 1st Battalion the Coldstream Guards, along with Deputy Mayor, Cllr Julian Ellacott; Crispin Blunt MP; The Mayor’s Chaplain, George Watt; Father Andrew Cunnington of St Matthew’s Church Redhill and members of the Merstham branch of the Royal British Legion.

At the time of James’ passing, his Commanding Officer said: “Lance Corporal Hill was, quite simply, superb at everything he did. He was personable, intelligent, fit and ambitious. His humour, combined with his energy, singled him out as a popular and respected Junior Non-Commissioned Officer.”