Trafford

Born during the December quarter 1883 in the Bootle R.D. - ref: 10b/643,
the son of ????????? & Mary Hodgson.

1891 Census - No Trace.

1901 Census - 78 Main Street, Millom, Cumberland.   Son - aged: 17 - occ:
Fireman on Steam Crane - born: Millom, Cumberland.   Head of household -
Mary Hodgson - Widow - aged: 48 - born: Millom, Cumberland.  Plus 4
siblings.

Married Lily Mary James at the Middlesborough Registry Office on the 3rd
April 1907, the marriage being registered during the June quarter 1907 in
the Middlesborough R.D. - ref: 9d/1105.

1911 Census - 22 Longford Street, Middlesbrough, Yorkshire.   Head of
household - Married - aged: 27 - occ: Crane Driver General - born: Millom,
Cumberland.   Also - Lily Mary Hodgson - Wife - aged: 27 - born:
Guisborough, Yorkshire.  Plus an infant son and 1 boarder.

WO 363 - Enlisted at Manchester on the 20th November 1914.  He was aged: 31
years and 1 month and was residing at 9 Greenfield Terrace, Flixton.   He
was employed as a Crane Driver.   He was 5 feet 5 inches in height and
weighed 126lb.  His chest measurements were 33 - 35 inches and he had good
physical development.    Married to Lily Mary Hodgson, they had one adopted
son - Alfred Firman Hodgson, born in a Nursing Home at Saltburn, Yorkshire
on the 27th July 1910.  Alfred Firman Hodgson was the illegitimate son of
Florence Firman formerly Harmer.   Posted to the 11th Bn on the 31st
December 1914.

Posted to France and embarked at Folkestone, Kent on the 19th May 1915.  
Awarded 3 days Field Punishment in the Field for having a naked light in
the billet and for indolence to an N.C.O. on the 18th December 1915.  
Admitted to No. 44 Field Ambulance on the 6th January 1916 and sent to No.
17 Casualty Clearing Station for treatment for dental caries.  Admitted to
No. 4 Sationary Hospital at St. Omer on the 9th January 1916 and discharged
to duty on the 4th February 1916.   For being absent from his billet on the
18th February 1916, he was awarded 7 days Field Punishment in the Field. 
For losing a tin of Bully Beef by neglect he was Confined to Barracks for 7
days from the 28th February 1916.  Also on that date, given another 4 days
C.B. for losing his smoke helmet by neglect.   Admitted to No. 43 F.A. and
sent directly to No. 19 C.C.S. suffering from P.O.U.O. (Pyrexia (fever) of
Unknown Origin) on the 31st July 1916, then directly to No. 7 Canadian
Stationary Hospital at Le Treport on the 1st August 1916.  Then admitted to
No. 3 C.D. ?????? on the 6th Auguat 1916.  Rejoined Bn in the Field on the
19th September 1916.  He elected to retain 2d per day Pioneers pay on the
30th September 1916.

Given a furlough to the UK from the 27th November 1916 to the 7th December
1916.  Admitted to the No. 43 F.A. on the 13th January 1917 and immediately
back to No. 37 C.C.S. the same day.  Suffering from I.C.T. (inflamed
connective tissue) to a finger and hand, he was next sent down  to No. 6 
Stationery Hospital at Frevent on the 14th.  Next to No. 4 General Hospital
at Camiers on the 19th.   Sent back to England on the 21st on the Hospital
Ship H.S. Formosa.   On the 11st December 1918 his widow was awarded a
19/6d "Separation" allowance.

German Government informed us that John had been buried in a collective
grave at St. Quentin-Roupy.  His disc was sent to the British and it was
accepted that he died on the day he went missing - the  30th March 1918.

Posted to the 12th Bn on the 1st May 1917 and back to the 11th Bn on the
20th.  Posted to the 19th Bn on the 12th October 1917.   Reported as
'Missing' on the 30th March 1917.   Home Service from 20/11/1914 to
18/05/1915.  France 19/05/1915 to 22/01/1917.  Home 21/01/1917 to
30/04/1917.   France 01/05/1917 to 30/03/1918.

In 1919, his widow was residing at 25 Albert Avenue, Urmston.  

* Special Memorial "In Memory of the 68 British Empire soldiers, killed in
action and buried at the German Cemetery on the St. Quentin-Roupy Road,
whose graves are now lost" - Memorial 52.