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Charles B. Hill was born in Cornwall, England in 1890. He was educated at Cliffton College in the county of Kent. In 1910, he left his native England to seek out a new life in Canada. Upon arriving, his first job was as a miner in Cobalt, Ontario. He eventually moved West to Edmonton, and went to work for the Canadian Northern Railway. In 1923, Charlie started a job which would allow him to leave his mark on the world. A job he would continue for the next 33 years. This job was as a Welfare Inspector with the Department of Health and Welfare. He later became Chief Clerk. In 1940, he was promoted to Deputy of Child Welfare. In 1944, Charlie was appointed superintendent of Child Welfare and remained there until his retirement in 1956. During the time he was with the Department of Health and Welfare, it was estimated that Charlie was responsible for placing 20,000 children up for adoption. At one time, his office became a picture gallery of over 4,000 children that he had placed. To thousands of children that he placed in foster homes throughout the province, he became affectionately known as "Uncle Charlie". With the amalgamation and joint sponsorship of the Sea Cadet Movement with the Department of National Defence, during World War II Charlie became involved with the movement. This eventually expanded to include the Navy League Cadets in 1952 and later to include the Navy League Wrenettes. While he was with the Navy League, Charlie held various offices with the Branch, Northern Alberta Division, and National Council. His unselfishness and dedication to the youth of the country and, in particular, to the cadet movement, is unequalled in Canada. This earned him the title, "Dean of Navy League". In 1961, the members of Northern Alberta Division unanimously voted to name a Navy League Cadet Corps after him, in recognition of his service. This Corps became Navy League Cadet Corps # 55. It has been claimed that this was possibly the first "named" Corps in Canada. He took pride in the Corps and a deep interest in the cadets as they progressed into various careers. He often assisted financially or by whatever means was possible. In 1972, at the age of 82, Charles B. Hill passed away. His dedication and interest climaxed by bestowing a great honour on the Navy League by requesting that his pallbearers be Navy League personnel. On special occasions, a blue flag is flown from the halyard. This flag was Charlie's flag, which was always flown whenever he came aboard for special functions. Upon his death, Charlie's flag was presented to Mrs. Hill, who in turn presented it back to the Corps. |
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