Pte 24811 William Hodson

• Age: 26
• From: Everton, Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• K.I.A Saturday 1st July 1916
• Commemorated at: Thiepval Memorial
  Panel Ref: P&F1D8B &8 C.

24811 Private William HODSON, 17^th Battalion, KLR.

William was born in Liverpool on 28th November 1889, the son of Thomas Hodson a printer compositor born in Liverpool, and his wife Mary Ellen (nee Archbold) also born in Liverpool, who married on the 22nd November 1885 at Our Lady and St. Nicholas and St. Anne, Chapel Street. Thomas was a 21 year old compositor of Great Homer Street, father Thomas, whilst Mary was aged 21, also of Great Homer Street, father Francis.

William was baptised on the 11th December 1889 at St Peter’s Church, Liverpool.  

On the 1891 census the family lived at 34 Stonewall Street, Everton. His father, Thomas, is aged 26, a printer compositor, his mother, Mary Ellen, is aged 26, with their two sons William aged 1, and Thomas Francis aged 4 at school.

Thomas Francis sadly died after the Census, aged 4.    

In 1901 the family are living at 9 Seymour Road, Litherland. William is 11 years of age, his father, Thomas, is shown as a 36 year old Church of England scripture reader, whilst his mother is also 36 years of age. His brothers are shown as; John aged 4 and Herbert Alexander aged 2. Although living in Litherland, their then youngest son, Herbert Alexander, aged 2 years, had been christened at St Nathaniel’s Church, Edge Hill. 

In 1911, the family now lives at 79 Percy Street, Bootle. Both parents are resident at the property and Thomas aged 46 is still recorded as a scripture reader, mother Mary Ellen is 46; William is now 21 and an athletic outfitter's shop assistant; John, 14 years, is an apprentice hosiery assistant, Herbert Alexander is 12 at school and Arthur Rimmer is 5 at school. His parents declare that they have been married for 25 years and four of their nine children have survived.  

For his 21st Birthday William received a book of the poems of Robert Browning which was inscribed with his name and address which at the time was 79 Percy Street.   

William enlisted in Liverpool on or about the 05th January 1915 joining the 17th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 24811.

He was billeted at Prescot Watch Factory from his enlistment and he trained there and also at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 17th 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. 

He sailed for France with his Battalion on 07th November 1915 arriving at Boulogne on the SS Invicta. Thereby earning his three medals.

He was killed in action reportedly whilst bombing the enemy on 01^st July 1916. Most of the men in the 17^th Battalion who were killed on the 1^st July are officially listed as having died between 01st and 02nd July 1916.

17^th Battalion Diary

3.30 am the Battalion in position in assembly trenches -Battalion frontage from Maricourt – Briqueterie Rd to 100 yards west of Maricourt – Montauban Rd – 1^st wave, 2 platoons of A Company on the right and 2 platoons of B company on the left. 2^nd wave remaining platoons of these companies. 3^rd wave C Company and 4^th wave D Company in parallel trenches at about 100 yards distance. 3^rd Battalion 153^rd French Infantry on our right and 20 KLR on our left. The Battalion’s objective was Dublin Trench from Dublin Redoubt exclusive to a point 400 yards west.

7.30 am – “Zero Hour”. The assault commenced, some shelling but very slight infantry resistance and little machine gun fire encountered, the work of our artillery having been very effective on the German trenches.

8.30 am – the objective was taken at 08.30 am the French on our right gaining their’s at the same hour. Lieutenant-Colonel B C Fairfax and Commandant Le Petit commanding 3^rd Battalion 153^rd Regiment arrived together in Dublin Trench. A and B Companies dug in almost 100 yards south of Dublin Trench which the Germans shelled intermittently all day hardly touching the new trench. Casualties up to 12 noon, Captain E C Torrey commanding C Company, Lt D H Scott commanding A Company and 2^nd Lieutenant P L Wright wounded 100 other ranks. Later in the day the 90^th Brigade took Montauban and the 20^th KLR captured the Briqueterie. Lt Scott died of wounds in a French hospital at Cerisy where Captain Mirascou commanding the left Company of the French also lay wounded. Perfect liaison existed between the French and ourselves the above two officers commanding respectively our right Company and the French left Company being in constant touch. Shortly after the attack commenced the Battalion Headquarters moved to a German dugout in Favieres Support under Briqueterie Road where Commandant Le Petit also established his H.Q. During the remainder of the day there was intermittent bombardment of Dublin and Casement and  Favieres Support trenches. Rations were brought up safely at night. Disposition of the Battalion – 2 Companies in Dublin and 2 in Casement.

His death was reported in the Liverpool Echo on the 13th July 1916: 

HODSON - July 3, killed in action in his 26th year, Private William Hodson Pals, the dearly beloved eldest son of Mr and Mrs M. E. Hodson of 50 Underley Street, Edge Hill. (One of the best and beloved by all) Memorial service to be held at St Nathaniel's Church, Upper Parliament Street, on Wednesday next at 8pm.  

HODSON – July 1, killed in action, Private W. Hodson, “Pals.” - Deeply mourned by his sorrowing fiancee Maisie. 

His death was also reported in the Hull Daily News on Thursday 13 July 1916: 

A notice from his family was placed in the Liverpool Echo on the 21st July 1916: 

CONDOLENCE 

HODSON - Mr and Mrs Hodson and Family desire to thank their friends for their kind expressions of sympathy during their recent sad bereavement. Letters of sympathy too numerous to answer. 50 Underley Street. 

His death was reported in the Liverpool Echo under the banner: 

AN EXPERT BOMBER

Private William Hodson, of the "Pals" was killed in France whilst bombing. He resided with his parents at 50 Underley-street and joined the regiment almost at the outbreak of war. An officer in a letter to his parents, wrote of Private Hodson:

"In every way he was one of the best men I have had under me. He was always ready to do any duty which might fall to his lot. At the time of his death he was on duty in the trenches doing some special work. In addition, he was one of the bombers who wore the bomber's badge, which is only given to men qualified for it, and it is not easy to get. He was very popular with the men and I know he will be missed out here".     

Soldiers Effects to father Thomas, Pension to mother Mary Ellen, 50 Underley Road, Smithdown Road.  

William's 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.”

On 09th October 1916 the Chaplain P. H. Turnbull wrote to the family:

Attached 2nd Bedfordshire Regiment B. E. F.

"Dear Mr Hodson,

I met by chance a friend of your son, Pte W Hodson, of the KLR and he asked me if I knew anything of the burial of his friend. I am glad to be able to tell you that I conducted the service over his grave after the attack of July the 1st. I was by chance visiting one of our companies when they returned from the attack and nearby I found a grave newly filled in. The burial party was just gone but some of our men had noticed them. I at once went out and read the service over his grave. The officer's of this regiment who were with me, came and formed a guard of honour and all the men who were within reach came also. He was buried in a trench where he had been hit and as the trench was in good condition, his grave will easily have been marked and looked after. I am very glad to be able to tell you this as I know from experience what a comfort it is to be assured that the graves of those we love are in friendly hands, and will be honoured after the war.  There is little danger of it being touched now and you will be able to find it after the war if you wish and I will try to help you at that time if you will write to me. My home address is ? House, Church Shelton, Salop. 

Please accept my true sympathy, though I did not know your boy personally I can partly realise what it all means to you and I do give you my prayerful sympathy in your sorrow. He died a great death and he is numbered amongst the many who have given their all.

May God be with you and his loved ones" 

Your Sincereley 

P H Turnbull Chaplain    

William's place of burial referred to by Reverend Turnbull was obviously later destroyed 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 is also remembered on the war memorial in St Nathaniel’s Church, Windsor Street,  (Now situated at St Bride's & St Saviour's Church, Percy Street, Liverpool).

His father, died, aged 59, in 1924 and was buried at Allerton Cemetery on the 04th October 1924.

His mother, died, aged 78, in 1943 and was buried at Allerton Cemetery on the 07th May, her address still 50 Underley Street.

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