Lieut Frederick James Hodgson

• Age: 30
• From: Birkenhead, Cheshire
• Regiment: Kings African Rifles
• Died on Sunday 5th May 1918
• Commemorated at: Cape Town Plumstead
  Panel Ref: BL.UO.27

Frederick James Hodgson was born in Birkenhead in the fourth quarter of 1887 the  only child of James William Hodgson and his wife Isabella (nee Jones). He was baptised on th 30th November 1887.

The 1891 Census shows Frederick living with his mother at Eastbourne Road, Birkenhead. His mother, states she is married, but there is no trace of his father, James William, in the Census.

The 1901 Census shows they are living at 10 Eastbourne Road, Frederick now 13 is living with his mother.

In 1911 the family have moved to 46 Beech Road, Tranmere. Frederick is by now 23, single and a cotton salesman, he is again resident with his mother.

He enlisted in Liverpool at St George's Hall on the 01st September 1914 giving his age as 26 years and 364 days and his employment as a cotton salesman. He joined the 17th Battalion as Private 15063. He was described as being 5'5 and 3/4's inches tall, weighing 134lbs with a 36 and a half inch chest. He was of fresh complexion with hazel eyes and brown hair. He was promoted to Corporal on 26th October 1914 and shortly after he was appointed Lance Serjeant on 23rd November 1914. He was subsequently promoted to Serjeant on 29th December 1914. He was admitted to Rainhill Hospital between 12th March - 14th March 1915 suffering from post influenzal debilty. He departed to Grantham via Prescot Station on 30th April 1915 alongside all four battalions of the Liverpool Pals for further training at Grantham. He was obviously continuing to impress his superiors as on 31st August 1915 he was discharged for the purposes of enlisting in the Inns of Court OTC at Berkhampsted. His papers show that he was described as being of good military character. 

Following a transfer he was serving with the 1st Battalion of The King's African Rifles when he was killed on the 05th May 1918. He now rests at Cape Town, Plumstead Cemetery in South Africa.

Cape Town and the nearby Simon's Town were the scene of massive shipping movements (including hospital ships) during both World Wars, and there were military hospitals at Maitland and Wynberg. During the Second World War, naval and maritime air operations were conducted from the area. Instruction under the Empire Air Training scheme was conducted at 65 and 66 Air School at Youngsfield Aerodrome in the Wynberg area, and the Fleet Air Arm was established at the Wingfield Aerodrome. Cape Town (Plumstead) Cemetery contains 145 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and 97 from the Second World War. Also in the Commission's care within the cemetery are three war graves of other nationalities, and the graves of three civilian building contractors, buried in a communal grave with service personnel, who were killed in an aircraft crash at Elandsfontein whilst inspecting sites for fortification.

His death was reported in the Liverpool Echo as follows:

Hodgson - May 5- died on active service. Lieutenant Frederick James Hodgson, King's African Rifles late King's Liverpool Regiment, deeply loved and only son of James William and Isabella Hodgson of 119 Grange Road West, Brkenhead. Deeply mourned.    

An indication of Frederick's part in the war in Africa is provided in the Liverpool Echo in its edition of 20th May 1918:

EAST AFRICAN CAMPAIGN

GERMANS DEFEATED IN SEVERE FIGHTING

The war office on Saturday made the following announcement regarding the operations in East Africa:-

Particulars have been received of severe fighting which took place on May 5 at a point 15 miles west of Nanungu , in the vicinity of which latter locality the bulk of the remaining German force is concentrated. 

On the date mentioned a small body of King's African Rifles, forming the advanced troops of Major-General Northey's force, surprised an important German camp, entered it, fired the huts, and was strongly counter attacked. Falling back on its support, our small force was heavily engaged throughout the day at the closest quarters, eventually defeating the enemy completely and driving him off to the North East with severe losses. 

In this engagement the enemy were commanded by General von Lettow Vorbeck in person. 

The convergent movement of our columns on Nanungu continues.     

Frederick is commemorated on the following Memorials;

Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall, Panel 51 Left

Cotton Association Memorail at Walker House, Exchange Flags, Liverpool

Men of Birkenhead Cenotaph 

He is also commemorated on the family headstone which bears an image of the Pals crest, the Eagle and Child and the words 17th Battalion. This would appear to indicate the pride felt by his parents in Frederick having been a volunteer and an original Pal.

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