Frederick George Hodges
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | Not known |
| Place of Birth | Sooramingalum, Madras, India |
| Death | 9 May 1951 |
| Place of Death | West Perth, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 41 years, 5 months |
| Description | 5'7" (1.70m) tall; weight 126 lbs (57.2 kg); dark complexion, blue eyes, brown hair |
| Occupation | gardener |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Karragullen, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Wife Mrs Frances Constance Hodges |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 2168 |
| Date of Enlistment | 22 Jul 1915 |
| Rank | Gunner |
| Unit/Formation | 28th Battalion, 4th Reinforcements transferred to 2nd Division Trench Mortar Battery |
| Date of Embarkation | 4 Oct 1915 - unknown at Port Suez |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A20 Hororata |
| Date of Return | 28 Feb 1919 - 7 Apr 1919 |
| Ship Returned On | HMAT A68 Anchises |
| Fate |
Wounded in Action 7 Aug 1916 near Poziéres Wounded in Action (gassed) 22 Mar 1918 at Messines |
| Monument | Kelmscott War Memorial (North panel) |
| Medals |
1914-15 Star British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
In 1904 Fred married Frances Constance Hanbury in Kelmscott. Electoral Roll entries - 1910 - 1916 "Hengistbury" Kelmscott, gardener,with his wife.
War Service
Marched into Blackboy Hill camp on 27 Jul 1915 and on 16 Aug 1915 was far enough advanced in his training to be allocated to the 4th reinforcement draft for the 28th Battalion.
Soon after arrival in Egypt Fred was taken on strength by the 28th Battalion (19 Jan 1916). Three months later on 22 Apr 1916 he was transferred to the 2nd Division's Trench Mortar Battery as part of the AIF wide reorganisation to create additional Divisions.
On 7 Aug 1916 Fred's Trench Mortar Battery was heavily shelled by the Germans and his wounds were most probably caused during this bombardment. Recovered from his wounds, from 25 Mar to 6 Apr 1917 he is detached to the 1st Anzac Trench Mortar School for instruction, and the day after he rejoined his unit he was sent on to the 2nd Division's Signal School for instruction. Fred rejoined the Trench Mortars on 30 Apr 1917.
On 22 Mar 1918 Fred was Wounded in Action for a second time, being gassed and was treated by the 30th General Hospital at Calais. Recovered, he is released to the Australian General Base Depot on 8 Apr 1918 and from there posted to the 2nd Division Ammunition Column on 25 Apr 1918, where two days later he is posted to the 4th Australian Medium Trench Mortar Battery.
Granted leave to England on 23 Sep 1918, he rejoined his unit in France briefly before transferring back to England on 29 Jan 1919, Australia bound. Bypassing Fremantle, the Honorata dropped Fred at Albany on 7 Apr 1919.
Discharged 6 Jun 1919 at 5th Military District
Post War
Electoral Roll entries - 1925 - 26 "Shellburst" Group 84, Airdale, settler (10km from Manjimup); 1936 - 37 Blue Wren Cottage, Maddington; 1943 Kalamunda; 1949 at 183 Colin street, West Perth.
Frances is buried with Fred at Karrakatta and although her age is given as 75, her date of death is not recorded.
Notes