Hillier wuxuu qeyb weyn oo noloshiisa ka mid ah ku qaatay Koonfur Afrika, halkaas oo uu u soo guuray isagoo 16 jir ah. Wuxuu shahaadada Bachelor of Arts ka qaatay jaamacadda Cape of Good Hope, wuxuuna u adeegay sidii askari ciidan intii lagu jiray Dagaalkii Sagaalaad ee Xhosa
Sanadkii 1877-1879.