Hobson, David

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David Hobson

44976, Private, 19th Northumberland Fusiliers 
Died of illness after discharge, 21 April 1919, aged 23
Buried at St. Tudno’s Churchyard

Not an official war grave

Though invalided from the army with a pension in July 1918 having been wounded by shell-fire, John Hobson’s death nine months later was presumably not deemed attributable to his service and he is not included in the National Debt of Honour. Additionally, his headstone acts as a memorial to his brothers, Evan and John, and to his brother-in-law John Basford.

David Hobson, the son of John and Jane Hobson was born in Llandudno on 7 July 1894. John Hobson was a baker. The Census for Wales of 1901 records the family of nine, John (35), Jane (36), Hannah (14), Evan (13, qv), Elizabeth (9), Anthony (6), David (5), John (4, qv), and William (2) living at “Ivy Mount”, Tyn-y-Coed Road, Llandudno. (Two of the sons, Evan and John were to die during the Great War as well as Elizabeth’s husband, John Basford (qv) – David was wounded and died in 1919.) David attended St. Beuno’s School before transferring to St. George’s National School in September 1902. He left school in July 1909. The following year, the local press reported David Hobson being bound over by the magistrates for throwing stones and damaging windows. In 1911, the family still lived at “Ivy Mount” and had been joined by another daughter, Mary (4); David (15) was described as a tailor.

On 22 November 1915, David, described as a shop assistant, volunteered at Llandudno to join the 3/1st (Welsh) Divisional Cyclist Company, Territorial Force. Also to join that day was Donald Goulding Evans (qv). The 1st (Welsh) Divisional Cyclist Company had formed in May-June 1915 and was attached to the 53rd (1st Welsh) Division, Territorial Force. A second-line company was then formed, the 2/1st becoming attached to the 68th (2nd Welsh) Division. David and Donald joined the third-line company, the 3/1st at Stockport on 24 November 1915 and the two volunteers were given consecutive regimental numbers – 488 (Donald) and 489 (David).) If these two young men expected to restrict their war to home service or as cycle troops, then they must have been disappointed when, as a consequence of the Military Service Act of 1916, they were transferred to the Northumberland Fusiliers on 23 November 1916. They embarked for France on 11 December 1916 and arrived at 31 Infantry Base Depot at Étaples on 13 December 1916. David was given a new regimental number of 44976. They joined the 19th Battalion on 13 December 1916. The 19th NF was a pioneer battalion and on 13 July 1917, David was wounded (described as slightly) by shell fire whilst digging trenches at Villers Faucon, Somme, France. He was evacuated by 107 Field Ambulance, 55 Casualty Clearing Station and No 6 General Hospital at Rouen to England where he arrived on 25 July 1917. He was administratively posted to the Depot Company and sent to the 2nd Western General Hospital at Manchester. He was found to be unfit for overseas or home service, awarded a Silver War Badge No 428539 and was discharged at York with a pension on 16 July 1918.

David Hobson died of an obstructed bowel, peritonitis and exhaustion at “Ivy Mount”, Llandudno on 21 April 1919 aged 23. He was buried at St. Tudno’s Churchyard three days later. It was locally reported that David Hobson had suffered “shell shock” during the war which might explain his repatriation and discharge having been only “slightly” wounded. In any event, he found it difficult to cope after the deaths in action of so many other members of his family. An inquest concluded that his death was “attributable to the war”, a decision not seemingly accepted by the War Office.

Known memorials:

  • Llandudno Roll of Honour
  • Llandudno War Memorial
  • Memorial Chapel, Holy Trinity Church, Llandudno
  • Siloh a Hyfrydle, Llandudno

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