BIO

Percy Hill, often called Peter, was the first of five brothers who played football for Norwood, blazing a path for Arthur, Frank, Roy and Stanley.
Percy also was the oldest of the six Hill siblings who played cricket for East Torrens and South Australia, along with Arthur, Clem, Harry and Roy. Clem is remembered as the great left-hand opening batsman who captained Australia at cricket and, with brother Frank,  shone as a footballer with South Adelaide. 

Percy was born on 4 July 1868 into the Methodist household of Henry John Hill, known as John, and his wife Rebecca Eliza, née Saunders. John Hill, son of Henry Hill MHA, extended the mail-coach business previously run in SA by Cobb & Co and later became Railways Commissioner.  He was an enthusiastic cricketer who made the first century at Adelaide Oval, 102 for North Adelaide against the local Kent club on 30 January 1878.  

The Hills had eight sons and eight daughters.  One of the daughters, Ida, married the tiger-hunting Yalumba winemaker Walter Smith and was the mother of Wyndham Hill Smith, who played cricket for WA before heading the family business.

All of the boys attended Prince Alfred College.  Percy was named in the best players as Prince Alfred went down to St Peter's in the 1886 intercollegiate match, 7.12 to 4.7.

Percy and his brother Arthur were not included in the Norwood team which won what was in effect SA's first grand final, in 1889.

In his only first-class cricket innings, he scored just two runs for SA in the 1892-93 season. His 72 in the intercollegiate match with St Peter's in 1885 paved the way for a eight-run victory. It was the top individual score, setting a precedent followed by four of his brothers and culminating in 16-year-old Clem's 360 in 1893.

Percy died in Adelaide on 24 July 1950, aged 82.  He was survived by his son Alan, but predeceased by his wife Eva and daughter Doreen

P Robins July 2018