Name
William James Hobbs
9 Sep 1890
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
16/10/1917
27
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Rifleman
R/29376
King's Royal Rifle Corps
7th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
TYNE COT MEMORIAL
Panel 115 to 119 and 162A and 163A.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
Sanctuary Lamp, All Saints Church, Hockerill, Not on Bishops Stortford Memorials ,
Pre War
William James Hobbs was born in Finsbury Park on 9 Sep 1890 (baptised 22 Oct 1890 St Ann’s , Tollington Park, Finsbury Park) to William Hobbs, butcher, and Annie (nee Collett).
On the 1891 Census the Family of parents, Lilian Beatrice (born 1885) and William J were living at Blackstock Road, Hornsey, Middx.
By the 1901 Census parents, Lilian Beatrice, Maude C E (born 1888) William J were living at 38 Mandeville Road, Tottenham. William’s father died in 1907.
On the 1911 Census William James, now listed as a printer, was living at 119, Farriers Road, Tottenham with his widowed mother Annie and Lilian Beatrice, a Robe machinist. There were two other brothers Charles Peter Collett (born 1887) and Percival (born 1897 died 1899).
William married Caroline Hunt on 26 Jul 1914 at St James the Less. Bethnal Green. His sister Maud married Edwin William Jeffrey and came to live in Bishops Stortford. (William Hobbs connection).
Wartime Service
No Service record was found for William.
He enlisted as Rifleman 29376 King’s Royal Rifle Corps and was posted to the 7th (Service) Battalion, this unit as part of 14 (Light) Division had been in the BEF since landing at Boulogne in May 1915. We cannot be sure when William joined his Battalion but it may have late 1916/ early 1917.
In 1917 the 14th Light Division were to take part in The3rd Battle of Ypres particularly the 1st Battle of Passchendaele (12 Oct 1917), William was report killed in Action on 16 Oct 1917 probably during the trench raids, bombardment and sniping that took place but not detailed as actions.
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £5 and arrears of £4 9s 5d was paid to his widow. Brother Charles Peter Collet Hobbs enlisted in Royal Navy April 1905, was present at Battle of Jutland 1916 aboard ‘Cochrane’ and was posted to Royal Naval Reserve on 15 May 1919.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
