1951
(493)
(Company Director and Secretary)
Born at Leicester 23rd May 1885. His father Joseph Suffolk Hill was connected with the Hosiery Trade for over 50 years.
Attended Melbourne Road Board School and entered as a new boy on the first day of opening in 1892 and later, after leaving, attended part time classes at the Working Men's College and Technical School.
Commenced full time employment at 13 years of age in a Commercial office and has held a number of important posts connected with the Building and Shop fitting Industry. He is now Director and Secretary of Harry Hand Ltd. (Shop fitters) and also a Director of the City Sheet Metal Works Ltd.
From early youth he has been active in the Social, Political, Industrial and Sporting life of Leicester. His interests in the life of the City have been varied and cover a wide sphere.
He has been a Trade Unionist since 1907. Was President of Leicester Trades Council 1914/15 and Secretary 1926/32.
He was elected to the City Council in 1926 as member for Westcotes Ward and promoted to the Aldermanic bench in November 1945.
Appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1941.
His special work during the years has been on the Finance Committee, which he joined in 1926 and he has occupied continuously the position of Chairman since 1934. Other Committees on which he has rendered service include the Water, Transport, Highways, Town Planning, Housing, Watch and Rating.
From 1934 he has represented the City on the East Midlands Joint Industrial Council for Manual Workers and is now Chairman of the Employers' side. Since 1945 he has been a member of the Derwent Valley Water Board.
Over a long period of years he has been Chairman of the Wages and Salaries Committee and also Vice Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee.
He was elected as Lord Mayor during "Festival of Britain" year and had the privilege of receiving Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent on the day following his election. The year was memorable because of the passing of His Majesty King George VI and the proclamation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth H.
Alderman Rowland Hill married Mary Florence Stretton in July 1914 and has one son and two daughters.
