The Celtic Star are set to add another book to its growing library this year, with the forthcoming publication of Celtic In The Second World War. You can read more about that project by clicking HERE and you can follow @celticww2 on Twitter for regular updates from author Liam Kelly.
One of the stories included in the book, tells of a former Celtic player who heroically diffused a bomb in Glasgow. Here is a sneak preview of what is written:
Prompt action by a former Celtic player, Hugh Hilley, saved a cinema and surrounding houses in a district of Glasgow from serious damage when an enemy plane dropped an incendiary bomb on the roof. Hilley, without hesitation, climbed a ladder which was hurriedly obtained, and, at great risk to himself, lifted the bomb, which by this time was in two pieces. He threw it to the ground, where it was promptly extinguished by Air Raid Precaution workers. Hilley received burns to his right hand, which were dressed at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary. Three stitches were also inserted into an ankle wound.
The heroic act took place on 18 September 1940. 43 bombs were dropped on Glasgow that day and it is incredible that there were no fatalities. A city had been shaken to its core and the newspapers the following day made for chilling reading. Indeed, alongside an extract about Hilley’s bravery, there was a short article in one publication entitled “Insult to Poles”. It must have been alarming to read of the outright fascism on display in Germany:
“Polish workmen and women in Germany must wear on their right breast a badge consisting of a yellow square with a lilac border and a long ‘P’ in the centre. This, states the Berlin correspondent of the Basler Nachrichten, has been decreed by Himmler and Goering (Nazi leaders).
Officially, no reason is given for this, but a pamphlet from the Society of Germans Abroad says that it is to prevent the possible association of Germans and Poles.”
(End of Preview)
Many Celtic fans may wonder who Hugh Hilley was and what contribution he made to the club. In short, Hilley was a League and two time Scottish Cup winner with the club, making almost 200 appearances for the Hoops between 1921 and 1930. However, there is much more to his story than that.
Garngad born Hilley was an all action defender who joined Celtic from the famous St Anthony’s stable. Such was the issue of anti-Irish racism in Scotland at the time, his family’s original surname was Healey but they changed it to avoid discrimination.
It was on the football pitch that he could truly express himself, becoming renowned for being a fearless left back. In a game against St Mirren in 1925, Celtic led 1-0 with a minute to go. Hilley reflected: “I had lost so much blood I was seeing half a dozen balls. I missed my kick and Jean McFarlane brought down Gillies. Peter Craigmyle gave a free just outside the box but St Mirren would settle for nothing less than a penalty. They refused the free kick and the hullabaloo ended with Craigmyle blowing for full time.”
He recovered from the injury (a trademark broken nose) and helped Celtic beat Rangers in a 5-0 victory in the semi-final of the Scottish Cup, before playing in the famous “Patsy Gallacher Cup Final” win over Dundee.
The following season (1925/26) was Hugh Hilley’s finest at the club. Indeed, he played in almost every league and cup game, helping Celtic to secure the league title, and almost capture the double. Not for resting on his laurels, Hilley won further silverware with the Scottish Cup triumph in 1927. This was to be Celtic’s last major piece of silverware for the decade.
Hugh Hilley was never capped to play for Scotland, however after a defeat by England, Willie McStay (Scotland captain) said that: “If Hilley had partnered me, Scotland would not have lost!”
Despite his admirable efforts, putting his body on the line for Celtic came at great personal cost. In a match v Hamilton on 20 August 1927, Hilley left the field in a state of exhaustion which sadly led to a nervous breakdown and he was to never play for the first team again. A stalwart of much loved teams, Hilley could be proud of his achievements. Although, it is remarkable that he never scored a single goal for the club!
Speaking after his retirement from the game, Hilley said: “Finally, I decided my health came first. I gave up playing, set up in the ice-cream and catering business and I never looked back.”
Meanwhile, his grand-daughter Mary Contini later recalled: “Celtic taught Hugh about health in a very modern way. They looked at diet and fitness and their methods stayed with him. Whenever I stayed at Grandpa’s house he would have a routine where he would get up at 6am and have a cold shower. Then he would drink warm water and jog around the block. He would have cereal and toast, olive oil and fresh orange. Hugh was fanatical about his health as a result of playing with Celtic.”
Liam Kelly
This is exciting news. I am looking forward to this. Men like Hugh Hilley deserve to get more of an airing. Celtic in the Second World War is a topic largely ignored by Celtic historians (to our shame) as distinct from the First World War where of course, there was much more to go on!
That was my thinking behind the book. The WW2 years are dismissed but I thought there must be some good stories from that period. Fortunately, I’ve found plenty in the research. Lots of them from off the pitch