Pte 17614 Noel Robert Edward Hodgson

• Age: 21
• From: New Ferry, Cheshire
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
• D.O.W Thursday 11th May 1916
• Commemorated at: La Neuville Cc Corbie
  Panel Ref: A.28

Noel Robert Edward Hodgson was born on the 17th August 1894 in New Ferry and was baptised on the 02nd September 1894 at St Mark the Evangelist Church, New Ferry, his father a book keeper of 47 Brownlow Road. He was the second son and youngest of three children born to Robert Edward Hodgson and his wife Elizabeth Emma (nee Corwen) who had married in the September quarter of 1876 in Corwen, Merionethshire. 

In 1901, Robert, a 48 year old clerk with Liverpool City Council, lives with his wife, Elizabeth, aged 45, a professor of music born in Bidston, and their three children, Robert, 20 years, born in Llangollen, an accounts clerk; Florence aged 17 years born in Hooton; and Noel aged 6 years, born New Ferry, at 42 Brownlow Road, New Ferry. 

The 1911 Census shows the family living at 35 Brownlow Road, where Noel’s father Robert Edward is aged 59, a clerk with the North Shore Mill Company; Elizabeth Emma is aged 54, a teacher of music; Robert Francis is aged 30, an estate agent’s clerk; Florence, aged 37, teaches music; and Noel is aged 16, a junior clerk with a merchant. 

On 11^th September 1914 Noel enlisted at Liverpool as Pte 17614 and gave his age as 20 years and 1 month, and his occupation as a  clerk and his next of kin as his father, 38 Brownlow Road. He was five feet ten inches tall, weighed 126lbs,  chest 36", sallow complexion, brown eyes, brown hair. He stated his religion as Church of England. 

Between enlistment and March 1916, Noel was posted to the 19^th, 22^nd and finally 20^th Battalions.

On 14^th March 1916 he sailed from Folkestone aboard the “SS Onward” and on 16^th March joined 30th I.B.Depot as a “reinforcement in the field”.

On 29^th March he joined up with 20^th Battalion.

20th Battalion War Diary – MARICOURT 

9.5.16 - In the trenches. Situation normal. Wiring was carried out between AP1 and AP2, also along new trench to a 15/3, the work on which was proceeded with. Sapping sounds where again heard at number 1 post A 16/1 and reported to R.E. 

Enemy artillery was active. The Centre Group received some 200 shells, mostly 77 m.m. shrapnel and H. E. though some How. shells were fired about Maricourt Avenue at 4 p.m. About 9 30 a.m. about 50 shells H.E. 4.2 were fired into Maricourt Village HIGH STREET Bn. H,Q. and then distributed lasting til 10 30 a.m.  2 patrols were out during dark hours of night. - They encountered no enemy patrols and have nothing to report. Casualties O.R. 5 wounded.  

On 09^th May 1916, aged 21 years, he was wounded in action and on 10^th was admitted to 96^th Field Ambulance having sustained a gunshot wound. He was again moved to 21 Casualty Clearing Station, where he died on 11^th May from the effects of a gunshot wound to his abdomen.

His father placed a notice in the Liverpool Echo on Wednesday 17 May 1916:

DIED FROM WOUNDS.

HODGSON - May 11th, from wounds in France, in his 21st year, Private Noel Hodgson, dearly-beloved second son of R. C. Hodgson of New Ferry. 

His death was also reported in the Birkenhead News on Saturday 20 May 1916:

SOUTH END’S ROLE OF HONOUR.

Further Added To This Week. 

We regret to record the deaths at the front of three more South End men, Pte Charles Kain, the only child of Mrs Ellis Kain of 84 Spencer Avenue, Rock Ferry, was killed in action on the 11th inst., and on the same day Pte Noel Hodgson, second son of Mr R. C.(sic) Hodgson of New Ferry, died from wounds in France, in his 21st year. We have been unable, we regret, to obtain further particulars or portraits of these two men.

His death was also recalled in the Birkenhead News on Saturday 30 December 1916: 

1916 RECORD OF A FATEFUL YEAR.

Fallen In The Year.

Noel Hodgson, New Ferry.

And on the first anniversary of his death another from his sister Flo.

Liverpool Daily Post - Friday 11 May 1917:

ROLL OF HONOUR.

HODGSON - In loving remembrance of Private Noel Hodgson (K.L.R.), who died of wounds received in France, May 11, 1916 in his 22nd year – Flo.  

He now rests at La Neuville Communal Cemetery, Grave A 28.  

In April 1916, No.21 Casualty Clearing Station came to La Neuville and remained there throughout the 1916 Battles of the Somme, until March 1917. La Neuville British Cemetery was opened early in July 1916, but burials were also made in the communal cemetery. Most of them date from this period, but a few graves were added during the fighting on the Somme in 1918. The communal cemetery contains 186 Commonwealth burials of the First World War. The graves form one long row on the eastern side of the cemetery.

Soldiers effects, army pay £3 17s 9d, War Gratuity of £7-10s, to mother Lily (sic) Emma, Pension to father Robert, 1 Hillman Terrace, New Ferry. 

Personal items returned:- pipe in case, pouch, watch and strap, 2 steel mirrors in case, cig. case, badge, prayer book, photos, pack cards

His father Robert Edward died, aged 64, in February 1917.  

On 12^th May 1919, his mother, Lily Emma, swore a declaration as to Noel’s family and gave herself; her daughter, Florence; and her son Robert Frank, all living at 38 Brownlow Road as his only living relatives. His father had died in February 1917. Noel, having not seen service abroad until March 1916, was awarded only the British War Medal and the Victory Medal, which were sent to his mother.

His mother Elizabeth died in the March quarter of 1934, aged 77.

We currently have no further information on Noel Robert Edward Hodgson. If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.