No.67730 , Private, Arthur William HOBBS
Aged 31
|
Arthur William Hobbs was born in Soham on 8th November 1886, (Newmarket Q4-1886 3B:549), baptised in Soham on 4th December 1885, son of Arthur and Lucy
HOBBS (née BEETON) of Broad Piece, Soham.
1891 census...Aged 5 he was at Thorn Street, Mereside, Soham with his father Arthur HOBBS [32] farm labour; his mother Lucy [30] born Newmarket; sisters Florence [8] and Alice [2]. All except his mother were born in Soham 1901 census...Aged 15, a farm labourer, he was at Thorn Street, Soham with his parents; sisters Alice, Julia [8] and Lucy [2]; brothers Walter [9] and David [6]. The new siblings were all born in Soham. On 11th October 1901 in Sutton Bridge, Lincolnshire, he married Edith TROLLEY (b.24-5-1885). 1911 census...Aged 25, he was at Neatmoor, Three Holes, Wisbech, Cambs with his wife Edith [25] born Rings End, Wisbech. His parents were still at Mereside, Soham with sisters Alice, Julia and Lucy, brothers Walter and David and a nephew William HOBBS [1]. By the time of the pension card his widow and children were at Gills Bridge, Outwell, nr Wisbech. Arthur Robert (29-12-1912), Marjorie Dora (3-2-1915) and Elsie May (29-10-1917) |
|
Enlisted in Ely on 2nd February 1903 in the Cambridgeshire Militia (4th Battalion Suffolk Regiment). He gave his age as 17 years 10 months, weighed 104 lbs,
was 5 feet 3.25 inches (160.6 cm) tall, chest 30" to 32.5" (76.2 to 82.5 cm), brown eyes and hair, Wesleyan. Next of kin his father Arthur HOBBS of Thorn Street, Soham. He signed for 6
years in the militia but due to the Haldane re-organisation and institution of the Territorial Force, he had a free discharge on 1ast January 1908. His war
time service records have not been found, however the medal Awards roll show he served in France/Flanders as No.87585, Middlesex Regiment from 10th August
1917 until 26th September 1917 when he was transferred to the 2nd/4th London Regiment.
From 3rd Ypres Day-by-Day Account by Chris McCarthy:- Division attacked at 5.40am with one Brigade. 173 Brigade attacked with 2/2nd and 2/3rd London; 2/4th London in support, 2/1st London in reserve. The 2/2nd got off to a good start capturing three blockhouses at Cameron House. The 2/3rd advanced to Spider Crossroads, where, totally exhausted and under machine-gun fire they came to a halt. Between 7am and 10am the Germans counter-attacked on the left flank and on Cameron House as 57th Division had not managed to advance ( ground conditions and mg fire) and Spider Crossroads were exposed. The German counter-attack Divisions forced home their attack and cut off the advanced posts and rolled up the northern gains. At the same time a large force of Germans were seen emerging from the sunken road between Papa Farm and Whitechapel. The survivors of the 58th were driven back to their start line. The Germans also fell foul of the ground conditions and were driven off by the 2/4th London who had been sent up in support to assist. CWGC shows 109 Royal Fusiliers being killed that day, only 13 having identified graves.
click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
