WAR MEMORIALS IN THE PARISH OF NORTHOP
The villages of Northop, Northop Hall and Sychdyn (Soughton)
The villages of Northop, Northop Hall and Sychdyn (Soughton)
Name William Thomas Hodgkinson
Regiment The Royal Welsh Fusiliers then the 2nd Btn South Wales Borderers
Service Rank and Number Private 39768 (SWB) and Private 60956 (RWF)
Military Cemetery/Memorial Marcoing British Cemetery
Ref No. of Grave or Memorial Sp.Mem14
Country of Cemetery/Memorial France
Medals Awarded British War Medal 1914 -1920 Victory Medal 1914 -1919
Date and Circumstances of Death He was 'Killed in Action' (by a sniper) in Masnieres near Cambrai in France. The first day of the Battle for Cambrai was on the 20th November 1917. He died on the 21st. Aged 22
Biographical Details Known
He was born in 1895 and was the son of farmer William and Mary E Hodgkinson of Bryn Fynnon Farm Sychdyn. In the 1901 census 5 year old William lived with his parents and his 6 siblings (Jane (known as Jenny) 14, Ada Mary 12, John 10, Elizabeth Gwendoline (known as Gwennie) 8, Benjamin 3 and James 7 months). Family members know that Willie was very proud to be the only one of the boys to have been given two christian names.
Two of his siblings played their own part in the war. His brother John was a soldier and his sister Ada was a Red Cross nurse. There is more information about these two. Click on the links to find out more. Gwennie was disabled and spent her life in a wheelchair. She was bright and intelligent and was much loved by her family. James, the youngest who worked in a bank died as a very young man, from TB. Ben was disappointed not to be called for military service. His father successfully applied for exemption for him to work on the farm.
Despite appealing for exemption from military service because he was needed on the family farm, William served 11 months in the army. His correspondence with his mother and his siblings was regular and extensive, revealing a close and loving family. We reproduce much of that correspondence below.
Regiment The Royal Welsh Fusiliers then the 2nd Btn South Wales Borderers
Service Rank and Number Private 39768 (SWB) and Private 60956 (RWF)
Military Cemetery/Memorial Marcoing British Cemetery
Ref No. of Grave or Memorial Sp.Mem14
Country of Cemetery/Memorial France
Medals Awarded British War Medal 1914 -1920 Victory Medal 1914 -1919
Date and Circumstances of Death He was 'Killed in Action' (by a sniper) in Masnieres near Cambrai in France. The first day of the Battle for Cambrai was on the 20th November 1917. He died on the 21st. Aged 22
Biographical Details Known
He was born in 1895 and was the son of farmer William and Mary E Hodgkinson of Bryn Fynnon Farm Sychdyn. In the 1901 census 5 year old William lived with his parents and his 6 siblings (Jane (known as Jenny) 14, Ada Mary 12, John 10, Elizabeth Gwendoline (known as Gwennie) 8, Benjamin 3 and James 7 months). Family members know that Willie was very proud to be the only one of the boys to have been given two christian names.
Two of his siblings played their own part in the war. His brother John was a soldier and his sister Ada was a Red Cross nurse. There is more information about these two. Click on the links to find out more. Gwennie was disabled and spent her life in a wheelchair. She was bright and intelligent and was much loved by her family. James, the youngest who worked in a bank died as a very young man, from TB. Ben was disappointed not to be called for military service. His father successfully applied for exemption for him to work on the farm.
Despite appealing for exemption from military service because he was needed on the family farm, William served 11 months in the army. His correspondence with his mother and his siblings was regular and extensive, revealing a close and loving family. We reproduce much of that correspondence below.
In March 1916, William's father had appealed to a Tribunal to have him exempted from military service because he was needed on the farm. This account was in the County Herald on 31st March 1916.
William's first appeal had granted him exemption till 31st October but the military objected and he was told he had to enlist on 30th September. (County Herald 11th August 1916).
The following letter which was written in 1920 is from a captain of the Regiment and sent to William's father, explaining what happened to his son's body. This arrived after much badgering of the War Office by the family, for an explanation about where his body was.
The County Herald 28th December 1917
The Hodgkinson Family of Bryn Fynnon Farm. Use your cursor to find out who's who.
Willie's National Registration Card
And so Willie joined the army and the beginning of 1917 found him at Litherland near Liverpool
Willie reassures his mother that he is taking care of himself
Willie writes to his young brother James and tells him about a memorable St David's Day in Liverpool
Willie was given a month's leave (furlough) to help on the family farm March to April 1917
Another letter from Willie to brother James telling about progress on the shooting range. June 1917.
Within a few weeks of that last letter, Willie was in France.
Letter to James from France
Ever the farmer's lad! Willie writes to his sister Ada from France. August 1917
Later in August 1917, a letter to Mother
This next letter was written on 5th September 1917 by Willie to his disabled sister Gwennie. The first page has been transcribed because the original is too poor to scan.
5th September
Dear Gwennie,
I was delighted to receive a letter from you this afternoon which I think came very quick. I have not received the parcel which you sent the day before but expect to have it tomorrow. I will let you know when I get it.
I met John last Friday. I expect you know by now he looks very well being he has been in hospital. I hope he will keep well now.
It is lovely weather here now, has been for a week. I expect you are having the same by now for the corn harvest. They have had all the corn in about here and are threshing it. there are some good farmers about such a nice part of the country.
5th September
Dear Gwennie,
I was delighted to receive a letter from you this afternoon which I think came very quick. I have not received the parcel which you sent the day before but expect to have it tomorrow. I will let you know when I get it.
I met John last Friday. I expect you know by now he looks very well being he has been in hospital. I hope he will keep well now.
It is lovely weather here now, has been for a week. I expect you are having the same by now for the corn harvest. They have had all the corn in about here and are threshing it. there are some good farmers about such a nice part of the country.
Interesting to note that Willie was visited by his older brother, John who was also a serving soldier in France.
Letter to brother James early November 1917
Letter to sister Ada 14 November 1917
Nobody at home knew it until much later, but this letter to his mother was in fact Willie's last letter home as he was killed three days later. The arrival of Mrs Burrows' cake was timely - we hope that it was delicious and that he enjoyed every crumb. (Mrs Burrows worked with Ada at Leeswood Hall Auxiliary Hospital).
Willie has been dead for two weeks but the family don't know. The next two sad letters from Ada reveal serious anxiety but she tries very hard to maintain an air of normality.
This letter from brother John to Jennie in January 1918 explains how he has been trying to find out what has happened to Willie.
The family then received a letter from the Battallion's chaplain, with further details about Willie's death. It has taken us hours to figure out what the letter says as the handwriting is so awful. The following transcript is our best attempt at translating it - it must have been added torture for the Hodgkinson family.
11.1 18
Dear Miss Hodgkinson
I deeply regret to have to tell you that according to most reliable evidence, 60956 Pte WT Hodgkinson of this Battallion was killed instantly at Masniere.
Corporal Lloyd of the same company who knew him well was close at his side when your brother was hit in the lungs by a sniper's bullet. He called out "Oh Corporal" and fell back and died at once. He could scarcely have felt any pain at all. I am afraid there is no room for any doubt at all as Corporal Lloyd is a man not at all likely to make a mistake especially in a case of this nature.
They were all in the mire at this time and it was quite impossible either to take his effects or to arrange for burial. Several bodies were ultimately buried and if his body was interred, particulars will be registered with GRU, Winchester House, St James's Square, London. (War Office).
I have only just returned to this Battallion after an absence of six weeks or I might have been able to help you more.
We all regret this loss of a good comrade and a good soldier. He too has given his life that men may live; with your dear one all is well. May God watch between you until you meet again.
With sincerest sympathy from us all
Yours sincerely
Kenneth Swallow, Chaplain (C of E)
11.1 18
Dear Miss Hodgkinson
I deeply regret to have to tell you that according to most reliable evidence, 60956 Pte WT Hodgkinson of this Battallion was killed instantly at Masniere.
Corporal Lloyd of the same company who knew him well was close at his side when your brother was hit in the lungs by a sniper's bullet. He called out "Oh Corporal" and fell back and died at once. He could scarcely have felt any pain at all. I am afraid there is no room for any doubt at all as Corporal Lloyd is a man not at all likely to make a mistake especially in a case of this nature.
They were all in the mire at this time and it was quite impossible either to take his effects or to arrange for burial. Several bodies were ultimately buried and if his body was interred, particulars will be registered with GRU, Winchester House, St James's Square, London. (War Office).
I have only just returned to this Battallion after an absence of six weeks or I might have been able to help you more.
We all regret this loss of a good comrade and a good soldier. He too has given his life that men may live; with your dear one all is well. May God watch between you until you meet again.
With sincerest sympathy from us all
Yours sincerely
Kenneth Swallow, Chaplain (C of E)
The family was clearly seeking more information and the following letter was written by Corporal Lloyd in reply to one sent to him by Ada.
Ada's last two unread letters to Willie were returned in the original envelopes with a few additional features added by the army.
Finally, at the end of December 1917, the official news came that Willie was dead