Background
Hilton was born to Richard Hilton, a school teacher, and his wife Agnes (née Quirke).
Hilton was born to Richard Hilton, a school teacher, and his wife Agnes (née Quirke).
He was educated at the state school in Allora and in 1915 got a job as a pay clerk for Queensland Railways, moving to Toowoomba and ultimately Stanthorpe by 1921.
He became involved with many public bodies in Stanthorpe at this time. Hilton first ran for the seat of Carnarvon (which was centred on Stanthorpe) at the 1932 election before winning it at the 1935 election. He also supported the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul and was the organiser of the Queensland Cancer Research Fund.
On 10 May 1950 he was appointed to the Hanlon Ministry, serving as Secretary for Public Works, Housing and Local Government.
The portfolio of Local Government was abolished on 1 May 1952, and he otherwise served in these roles until the 1956 election. He then became Secretary of Lands and Irrigation, relinquishing his old portfolios to Colin McCathie.
On 26 April 1957, Hilton along with Premier Vince Gair and most of the rest of the Ministry were expelled from the Australian Labor Party, and joined the new Queensland Labor Party with which they contested the 1957 election. He retired to Esther Street, Ekibin (part of modern-day Tarragindi) in Brisbane"s inner southern suburbs, and died there on 18 August 1965.
He was accorded a State funeral and buried in Nudgee Cemetery.
He became a supporter of the Industrial Groups and the Catholic Social Studies Movement organised by Bachelor of Arts Santamaria, as well as being a member of the Order of Saint Francis.
