Frederick George Hodges
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | c1874 |
| 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 ; 126 lbs 57.153 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 Z2A Trench Mortar Battery |
| Date of Embarkation |
4 Oct 1915 ‒ ?? "??" contains an extrinsic dash or other characters that are invalid for a date interpretation. |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A20 Hororata at Port Suez |
| 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
On Marching into Blackboy Hill camp on 27 Jul 1915 he was allocated to the 17th Depot Company, and on 16 Aug 1915 Fred was far enough advanced in his training to be allocated to the 4th reinforcement draft for the 28th Battalion, travelling with them to Egypt.
Soon after arrival in Egypt Fred was taken on strength by the 28th Battalion (19 Jan 1916). However, three months later, on 22 Apr 1916, he was transferred to the 2nd Division's Z2A Medium Trench Mortar Battery as part of the AIF wide reorganisation to create additional Divisions.
In France on 9 Jun 1916 Fred's Mortar unit was engaged in wire cutting, firing 9 rounds in 8 minutes despite being under severe retaliatory fire. Their mortar misfired three times, and they were short handed. Fred was one of the crew recommended for an award, but the recommendation from Brigadier General Johnston does not seem to have been accepted by higher headquarter elements.
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. Fred's records make no mention of him being treated or hospitalised, and the next entry indicates that recovered from his wounds, he was detached to the 1st Anzac Trench Mortar School for instruction from 25 Mar to 6 Apr 1917, and on 7 Apr 1917, the day after he had 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 was 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 was posted to the newly designated 4th 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. He was discharged on 6 Jun 1919 by the 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