Jesse Hill was born on 25th June 1847 in Cornwood, Devon. He enlisted into the Navy as Boy 2nd Class in May 1862 aged 15 years old on HMS Implacable till June 1863 when he joined HMS Orlando. Made Boy 1st Class in Aug 1864 and Ordinary Seaman in Sept 1865. He joined HMS Topaz in Jan 1865 and was made a Able Seaman in Apr 1867. He joined HMS Cambridge in Sept 1860 till Nov 1870 when he was on HMS Daealus Nov 1870 till Apr 1871. Next was HMS Cambridge again for a month and onto HMS Glasgow. He was made a Leading Seaman May 1872 and Captain Mizen Top May 1874.
He joined HMS Cambridge in July 1875 till March 1876 when he went to HMS Royal Adelaide as a PO 1st Class and then straight to HMS Aurora in Apr 1876 to July 1877. Next HMS Narcissus till Dec 1877 when he joined HMS Cambridge till Feb 1878. He was on HMS Wye for a month and then to HMS Salamis till Sept 1879 when he left her for HMS Cambridge again till Sept 1880 when he joined HMS Achilles and fought in the Egypt War gaining two medals. In 1882 he was made a Gunners Mate and also earned his GC& LS Medal in April 1882. He moved to HMS Cambridge again in Aug 1884 till July 1885 when he was pensioned ashore. Total service 23 years.
Ex DNW 2006
