BIO

Charles Hill was born in Norwood on 7 June 1920 and took part in the Norwood's first senior trial in 1939. He missed out the following week on selection for the senior trial and was instead in a Norwood B side that played against Norwood juniors.

Hill’s path to senior selection was challenging. He missed out on selection for the Norwood Association (reserves) side for the first few rounds. The closest he came was in round three when chosen as an emergency reserve.

In May a report said that the Norwood association had a very strong side. They were undefeated and had won the two previous premierships. The report went on to say Norwood had many juniors ready to fill vacancies and among those who should gain promotion as soon as the opportunity occurred were Hill (half back), McKay (wing) and Holbrook (rover). Hill's turn came in late May when chosen at half back against North Adelaide at Prospect. Unfortunately it resulted in the side’s first loss for the season. After the next game as 19th man Hill became a regular selection in the association team. He was used very much as a utility, playing at half back, half forward and as a rover.

His persistence was rewarded in early August when he was chosen in the league side as a rover, replacing the injured Plunkett. The side was thrashed by North Adelaide to the tune of 72 points. Hill was one of five players omitted for the next game against West Adelaide.

It was Charles Hill’s only taste of league football but he did experience one more highlight in 1939. In September, playing at half back, he was part of the Norwood association side that won their third premiership in a row by defeating North Adelaide at Thebarton Oval.

Hill enlisted in the Australian Army Medical Corps in 1938 but transferred to the Royal Australian Air Force in 1942 and was later commissioned as a Flying Officer. He served as a pilot with the RAAF and the Royal Air Force (RAF) in the UK, Middle East and Europe during World War II. He was discharged in 1946.

B Ridge, W Heading Dec 2021