HODGKINSON+EDWIN+ARTHUR

Hodgkinson, Edwin Arthur, Private, 2839, 56th Battalion, Australian Infantry Born Findern, Derbyshire, England Enlisted Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia, 1st July 1915 Killed in action 3rd December 1916 aged 27 Son of Annie Hodgkinson, of Church Farm, Findern, Derbyshire, England. Commemorated on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial

Edwin Hodgkinson had formerly been an apprentice to a butcher in England for eighteen months during 1907 – 1908. In Australia, he was employed as a farm worker. He was 5 feet 5.75 inches in height, had a fresh complexion, blue eyes and fair hair, and belonged to the Church of England. He joined the 4th Battalion on the 8th January 1916 at Tel el Kebir in Egypt. On the 29th, he was awarded 2 days Field Punishment No. 2 for being unshaven on guard, before being transferred to the 56th Battalion on the 13th February. He then attended the Zeitoun School of Instruction from the 1st April 1916, and whilst there was treated in hospital for otorrhoea, rejoining from hospital on the 4th May. He embarked from Alexandria on the HT Huntsend, 19th June, arriving at Marseilles on the 29th. On the 4th September 1916, he was awarded another 2 days of Field Punishment No. 2 for disobedience of Trench Standing Orders. Sadly, he was killed in action on the 3rd December 1916. Personal effects returned to his mother after his death included a wallet, letters, photos and a notebook.

1911 Census A cowman A servant in the household of William Bainbrigge, a farmer, of The Woodhouse, Dalbury, Etwall, Derbyshire