Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Private

Unit:

Special Investigation Group, Middle East Commando, British Army

Awarded on:

March 11th, 1943

Citation:
"On Sept. 13th 1942 Pte. HILLMAN, then a member of the Special Investigation Group, formed part of the force which entered Tobruk from KUFRA under Lt.Col. Haseldon. Hillman was dressed in German uniform and it was his job to speak to any enemy guarding check points on the road, and get in the party through in their trucks. When the action started Hillman was in Capt. Buck's party which, still in German uniform, took the first objective. The next morning after re-inforcements had failed to land, I saw Hillman with one or two others and Lt.Col. Haseldon holding off and actually advancing on enemy who were greatly superior in numbers. The others made for the trucks, but Hillman refused to leave the Col. and attacked him, killing several Italians and forcing others to run. When within a few yards of the enemy Lt.Col. Haseldon was hit and rolled over, Hillman went up to him and called his name several times. Not until he was certain that Lt.Col. Haseldon was killed did he come back to join us on board the stranded M.T.B. Here he kept the guns supplied with ammunition until no more could be found on board and then took to the hills with my party when it was apparant that no more could be done. For the next nine weeks during which we were endeavouring to get back to our own lines, Hillman shoed courage, endurance and cheerfulness which was a great example to the fact that the soles of his boots were torn off during the action and he tore his feet badly on the barbed wire perimeter defences at Tobruk on the first night of our journey, causing sores which were still open when he reached hospital nine weeks alter. Whenever enemy positions were encountered Hillman showed the greates calmness and courage. He was entirely responsible for persuading the Arabs to give us food etc. I have no hesitation in saying that without his example and help we would have had very little chance of escaping successfully. Hillman has been in action with Capt. Buck's party in German uniform on a previous occasion and was in the East African campaign with No. 52 Commando."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant

Unit:

X Section, Special Operations Executive (SOE), British Government

Awarded on:

November 15th, 1945

Citation:
"This officer was parachuted alone into Asutria in March 1945 and immediately made his way by train to VIENNA. This journey was carried out in the face of great Gestapo activity and could never have been accomplished without immense determination and courage on the officer's part.
On arrival in VIENNA, by the excercise of outstanding skill and personality, he established personal command over some 400 Austrian deserters and evaders whom he armed, equipped and organised into a guerilla force. This force operated against the SS and Nazi officials during the last 10 days before the Russian entry into Vienna, and was effective in preventing demolitions and fires started by the fleeing SS.
Lt. Hillman and his personal squad rounded up some 100 SS men and handed them over to the Russian troops.
Throughout the whole of this period it was this officer's personal skill, bravery and determination which held together the otherwise unorganised effort of these 400 Viennese resisters. His life was permanently in danger but his personal example induced many Viennese to take offensive action which they would otherwise not have done.
Lt Hillman's subsequent long incarcaration by the Russians was borne with dignity and steadfastness and his final move to the American Zone was on par with his previous work. He has been a credit to the British Army and to his own country, which is Austria."