Richard Hillary (Ch 1931-1936)

Richard Hillary was born in 1919 and joined Churchill’s Hall in 1931. 

He went on from Shrewsbury to study at Trinity College, Oxford, and while at Oxford he was president of the University Rugby Club and Secretary of the University Boat Club.

He was called up to the Royal Air Force in October 1939 to train as a Spitfire fighter pilot.  He joined 603 Squadron and moved with them from Scotland to join the Battle of Britain on 27th August 1940.  Within a week Hillary had shot down five German fighters, but he himself was shot down on 3rd September 1940 and was very badly burned while escaping from his aircraft.

Photo: Richard Hillary

Hillary was badly disfigured and never regained full use of his hands.  He wrote the story of his experiences, ‘The Last Enemy’, which is widely regarded as one of the best books to have emerged from World War Two.  

Photo: The Last Enemy cover

He convinced the RAF that he was fit enough to return to flying in November 1942, even though the damage to his hands remained severe.  On 8th January 1943 his Bristol Blenheim crashed in Scottish woodland during a night training exercise, and he was killed. He was 23 years old.

He is remembered today at Trinity College, Oxford by an annual literature prize, a portrait outside the college library, and an annual lecture in his honour.   At Shrewsbury, he is remembered by an annual Richard Hillary Essay Competition, which provides an opportunity for Sixth Formers to spend two hours pitting their wits against an unseen one-word essay title.  The event was modelled on the historic competition undertaken to select fellows of All Souls College, Oxford. His name appears on the School’s War Memorial and also on the Battle of Britain memorial in Chapel.

Photo: Richard Hillary Medal