JH - Hill Papers

JH

Collection

Hill Papers

1699-2003

11 series Mixed

Hill, J.E.B.

Hill, J.E.B.

The papers, photographic and slide collection of British politician John Edward Bernard Hill (1912-2007).

JH was educated at Charterhouse and Merton College, Oxford, where he obtained his M.A. In 1938 he was called to the Bar - with the Certificate of Honour (Inner Temple) - but a year later at the outbreak of WWII he was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant R.A. (T.A.)

Later, during his active service, JH became an Air Observation Pilot attached to 651 (Air O.P.) Squadron, during which time he went with the R.A.F. to Tunisia. He was wounded in action in 1943 and was invalided out in 1945.

He made extensive journeys abroad mainly as a member of United Kingdom parliamentary delegations, and of agricultural or Commonwealth committees. Significant trips include a "gap year" visit to India in 1937, China in 1956, Southeast Asia in 1957, the United States in 1958, and West Germany and Berlin in 1959.

JH was the Conservative Member of Parliament for South Norfolk from 1955-1974. From 1959-1960 an Assistant Government Whip and from 1960-1964 a Lord Commissioner of the Treasury, becoming Opposition Spokesman on Education and Science in October 1965.

He farmed the Blyford Estate, Suffolk since 1944. He was married in 1944 to Edith Luard [deceased 1995], the widow of the late Commander R.A.E. Luard. They adopted a daughter, Linda.

JH's activities included shooting and association football - he was an association football blue at Oxford - in 1934, becoming secretary of the Oxford University Association Football Club.

He has also been a member of the East Suffolk and Norfolk River Board from 1952-1962, a member of the Governing body of Charterhouse School, and a member of UEA Council, 1975-1982.

JH died on 6 December 2007 at Watermill Farm in Wenhaston, Suffolk.