Pte 22411 James Hodgers

• Age: 29
• From: Castlebellingham, Louth
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
• K.I.A Sunday 30th July 1916
• Commemorated at: Thiepval Memorial
  Panel Ref: P&F1D8B &8 C.

James Hodgers was born on the 13th November 1886 at Castlebellingham, Louth, Ireland, 7 miles south of Dundalk, the son of Patrick Hodgers and his wife Elizabeth (nee Reid) who were both born in Kilsaran, Co.Louth, Ireland. 

Unfortunately the 1891 Ireland census has not survived so family details are sparse.

In 1901 Patrick and Elizabeth were living in court housing in Black Diamond Street (off Vauxhall Road), Liverpool with their children: Patrick aged 7, John aged 6, Rose 3 and 1 year old Edward. James who would have been 14 is not present in the household. Based on the children's birthdates, it appears that Patrick and John were Patrick's children from his first wife, or possibly Wallace children raised as Hodgers.

On the 10th July 1903 James started work as a sailor, starting on the training ship HMS Black Prince in Devonport. He served on several ships including two years (1905-06) on the battleship H.M.S. Magnificent. In 1905, an explosion caused by a faulty shell in one of the ship's 6" guns killed 18 men. 

He served on several ships until 1908. On enlistment he was working as a messenger boy, and is described as being 5' 1 and a half inches tall, with brown eyes and hair, and a fresh complexion. He has a number of scars: on the left side and back of his neck, left temple, forehead, and a large scar under his right ear; he has a tattoo of a cross on his left forearm.

On his 18th birthday in 1904 James signed on for 12 years, by which time he had grown three inches.

On his Navy record his character is noted as Very Good until April 1908 when, while serving on the cruiser H.M.S. Cambrian with the Australia Station, he deserted in Sydney. He was "recovered" five days later and sentenced to 42 days hard labour, which he served on H.M.S. Powerful. After completing his sentence he returned to the Cambrian but deserted again in October 1908 in Sydney.

His name was published in a list of "Deserters from His Majesty's Service" on 21st October 1908 in the New South Wales Police Gazette (and other Police Gazettes throughout the country), with his description, noting he was 21 years of age. (A reward of £3 was paid for the apprehension of any deserter.) He was apprehended six months later, in April 1909 but "not claimed for further service" (his good character likely helped him avoid a more severe penalty).

It is not known when or how James returned to the U.K. It is possible he signed on as a merchant seaman, using a false name, as no crew lists have been found.

Patrick and Elizabeth were living with just two boarders in the 1911 census at 10 Cunliffe Street in the centre of Liverpool. The census records Elizabeth as having borne 11 children, only 4 of whom have survived.

Army records show that James enlisted on the 12th November 1914 at Liverpool, joining the 20th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 22411. He gave his age as 29 years and 11 months, (in fact it was the day before his 28th birthday), born in Dundalk, his occupation declared as a sailor and had previously served in the navy and was discharged in 1908. He was described as being five feet six and half inches tall, weighed 161 lbs,  39" chest, and was of fresh complexion, grey eyes, brown hair with a tattoo on his left forearm. He stated his religion as Roman Catholic. His physical development is described as good and he gives as next of kin his father Patrick at 11 Vernon Street.

Formed in November 1914 the 20^th Battalion were originally billeted at Tournament Hall, Knotty Ash before on 29^th January 1915 they moved to the hutted accommodation purposely built at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 20th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. 

Whilst at Knowsley and Grantham his records show some disciplinary issues following a series of absences from barracks:

28.03.15: At Knowsley was absent from 10.30pm until 9.00pm 29th March. Confined to barracks for two days and forfeit of two days pay.

5.04.15: At Knowsley was absent from 12 Midnight until 10.00pm 8th April (three days). Deprived three day's pay

25.04.15: At Knowsley was absent from 10.30pm until 9.45pm

27th April 1915. (three days). Confined to barracks for ten days and forfeit of three days pay.

17.06.15: At Grantham refusing to obey an order, seven days confined to barracks.

30.07.15: At Grantham was absent from 10.00pm until 3.00pm. Deprived 5 days pay and confined to barracks for nine days.

7.11.15: Embarked for France with his battalion.

He was killed in action on the 30th July 1916, aged 29, at the village of Guillemont, France, during the Somme Offensive.

The 20^th King’s Battalion Diary records:

“At 4.45am prompt the attack was launched. Unfortunately, a thick mist prevailed and it was impossible to see more than 10 yards ahead. This continued until about 6 o’clock when it lifted slightly, but it was still too hazy and impossible to see what was happening 100 yards ahead. This being so, it was not surprising to find that the attacking waves were experiencing great difficulty in maintaining connection.”

At 6am, Lt. RE Melly, No.1 Company, reported that his men had taken the German Maltz Horn trench.

At 6.30am, 2/Lt. CP Moore reported that he had 150 men, 4 Stokes Mortars and 2 Lewis Guns, but he was the only officer. He also said that due to the fog, both his “flanks were in the air” i.e. he was not in contact with neighbouring troops.

At 9.10am, Moore was still not in contact at his flanks, and now he had only 75 men, he had sent out 2 patrols and neither not returned. Later Moore established communication with the French on his right.

Around 10.00am, 2/Lt Musker reported that he had just over a company with him, but his left flank was suffering from German machine gun fire. Later he reported that he had over 30 casualties from the machine gun fire. His flanks were also “in the air”. No contact was made with this party until the remnants returned around 9.30pm, all runners sent were killed or missing. The War Diary states that this group had: ”held the ground won all day, and this permitted the consolidation of the ground won on the Maltz Horn ridge with little interference from the enemy”.

Relief for 20/Kings had been planned for 11.00pm, but it was 5.00am on the 31st July before it took place, ending a tragic day for the Liverpool Pals.

Casualties for 20^th Battalion were 16 Officers and 357 Other Ranks

When darkness fell on the battlefield the 30^th Division held a line from the railway on the eastern side of Trones Wood , southwards and including Arrow Head Copse, to east of Maltz Horn Farm. On this line the division was relieved by the 55^th Division during the early hours of the 31^st July. 

The events of 30^th July 1916 were regarded at the time as Liverpool’s blackest day. There follows an extract from The History of the 89^th Brigade written by Brigadier General Ferdinand Stanley which gives an indication of the events of the day.

Guillemont

Well the hour to advance came, and of all bad luck in the world it was a thick fog; so thick that you couldn’t see more than about ten yards. It was next to impossible to delay the attack – it was much too big an operation- so forward they had to go. It will give some idea when I say that on one flank we had to go 1,750 yards over big rolling country. Everyone knows what it is like to cross enclosed country which you know really well in a fog and how easy it is to lose your way. Therefore, imagine these rolling hills, with no landmarks and absolutely unknown to anyone. Is it surprising that people lost their way and lost touch with those next to them? As a matter of fact, it was wonderful the way in which many men found their way right to the place we wanted to get to. But as a connected attack it was impossible.

The fog was intense it was practically impossible to keep direction and parties got split up. Owing to the heavy shelling all the Bosches had left their main trenches and were lying out in the open with snipers and machine guns in shell holes, so of course our fellows were the most easy prey.

It is so awfully sad now going about and finding so many splendid fellows gone.      

His body was not recovered or was subsequently lost as he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

The Thiepval Memorial, the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, bears the names of more than 72,000 officers and men of the United Kingdom and South African forces who died in the Somme sector before 20 March 1918 and have no known grave. Over 90% of those commemorated died between July and November 1916.

On 01st August 1932 the Prince of Wales and the President of France inaugurated the Thiepval Memorial in Picardy. The inscription reads: “Here are recorded the names of officers and men of the British Armies who fell on the Somme battlefields between July 1915 and March 1918 but to whom the fortune of war denied the known and honoured burial given to their comrades in death.”

He earned his three medals. His 1914-15 Star, issued in the name of Hodges, was returned for amendment.

His name is also remembered on the following Memorials:

Castlebellingham, Co.Louth, Ireland

Ireland's National Roll of Honour

Liverpool's Hall of Remembrance, Panel 59

His stepmother Elizabeth was informed in January 1917 there were no personal effects of James' to be sent. She received his outstanding Army pay, and a War Gratuity of £7-10s went to his father Patrick. Elizabeth was awarded a pension of 12/6d a week from May 1917.

James’s war records show that the family are living at 11 Vernon Street by 1919. It also shows he has the following siblings: Edward aged 20, Rose 21, and twins Ellen and Elizabeth who were born in October 1901 so they were born in Liverpool. It also shows a half brother called Thomas Wallace who is 29, whereabouts unknown.

His brother, Edward had enlisted in the 8th Irish Battalion King’s Liverpool Regiment, with the service no. 4084, on 6th April 1915 but only lasted until 20th May before they found out that his actual age, instead of the 19 years and 8 months he declared, was more like 15 or 16.

His father died in 1928, aged about 59, and his stepmother aged 78 in 1945. 

We currently have no further information on James Hodgers, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.