HODGSON J.A.

JOSEPH ALLISON HODGSON (1886-1918)

M/318477 Private Joseph Allison Hodgson, Army Service Corps died 19 November 1918 and is buried at Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille.[1] He was 32 years old, married to Edith and is commemorated on the Etherley War Memorial and the Roll of Honour in St. Cuthbert’s Church, Etherley.

Family Details

Joseph Allison was born 1886[2] at Etherley the son of Bryan and Phoebe Hodgson. There were 7 children, all born at Etherley:

Elizabeth bc.1877
J.H. (son) bc.1880
J.B. (son) bc.1884
Joseph Allison born 1886
Mildred J. bc.1890
Annie bc.1894
H.B. (son) bc.1895 [3]

In 1901, the family lived at Etherley in the vicinity of Etherley Lodge where 48 year old Bryan worked as a butcher (own account).[4] By 1911, 57 year old Bryan is described as a farmer and 25 year old Joseph as a blacksmith. They lived at Etherley with 58 year old Phoebe, 21 year old Mildred and 17 year old Annie.[5] 10 June 1916, Joseph married Edith Mary Henderson and they lived at Alma House, Hamsterley.[6]

Service Details

Joseph Allison Hodgson attested 20 January 1916 aged 30 years old at Bishop Auckland.[7] He was employed as a blacksmith, was 5ft 6” tall and was a Primitive Methodist.[8] He was placed to the Army Reserve.[9] Joseph undertook a medical examination 15 January 1917 at Sunderland. He was 5ft 6” tall, weighed 126 lbs., suffered some slight defects but was considered fit for military service.[10]

Private J.A. Hodgson was mobilised 7 May 1917 and posted to the Army Service Corps the next day, 8 May 1917. 27 June 1917, he entered France and served until 24 February 1918 before having 15 days furlough then back to France 12 March 1918 where he served until the end of the war.[11]

The ASC was organised into units known as Companies, each fulfilling a specific role. In most cases the Company also had a sub-title name describing its role. Some of the Companies were under orders of the Divisions of the army, others were under direct orders of the higher formations of the Corps, Army or General Headquarters of the army in each theatre of war. They were known as part of the Lines of Communication. Many men of the ASC were not, however, with ASC Companies, for many were attached to other types of unit in the army for example, as vehicle drivers.[12]

The prefix “M” means that the soldier served with the Mechanical Transport Company (MT).[13] Private J.A. Hodgson served with 406 Company “B” Siege Park.[14] This company was formed in July 1915 and was an Ammunition Column for 27^th Brigade RGA later X Corps Siege Park and then II and IV Corps Heavy Artillery. The heavy guns and howitzers of the RGA, with attendant equipment and ammunition, needed motorised transport to haul them. The Motor Transport Companies called Ammunition Parks operated dumps or stores of ammunition. The larger calibres of artillery shells required special mechanical handling equipment. [15] At the time of his death Private J.A. Hodgson was with “B” Siege Park attached to II Corps H.A. [16]

II Corps saw action at the following engagements:

1917 [17]

31 July – 2 August: Battle of Pilkem
16-18 August: Battle of Langmarck
22 August: operations around St. Julian
26 October – 10 November: Second Battle of Passchendaele

1918 [18]

28 September – 2 October: Battle of Ypres
14 – 19 October: Battle of Courtrai
25 October: action at Ooteghem
31 October: action at Tieghem

Private J.A. Hodgson died of influenza 19 November 1918 at the 83^rd General Hospital, France.[19] He had served a total of 2 years and 304 days, 1 year 131 days in France.[20] M/318477 Private J.A. Hodgson was awarded the British War and Victory medals. [21]

Burial

Private J.A. Hodgson is buried at grave reference XI.B.43 Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille. His headstone is inscribed thus:

Ever Remembered by His Loving Wife

Since 1914, the Boulogne and Wimereux area was used for military hospitals and other medical establishments. The cemetery was begun in June 1918 when the existing cemeteries at Boulogne and Wimereux were exhausted. There are now 4377 Commonwealth burials from WW1.[22]

References:

[1] Commonwealth War Graves Commission

[2] England & Wales Birth Index 1837-1915 Vol.10 p.223 Auckland 1886 Q1

[3] 1901 & 1911 census

[4] 1901 census

[5] 1911 census

[6] Army Form: Descriptive Report on Enlistment

[7] Army Form B.2512

[8] Army Form: Descriptive Report on Enlistment

[9] Army Form B.200 Statement of the Services

[10] Army Form B.178

[11] Military History Sheet