Hobson, William James

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William James Hobson

15532, Private, 10th Royal Welsh Fusiliers
Killed in action, 30 March 1916, aged 19
No known grave (Ypres Memorial (Menin Gate), Belgium)

CWGC registered (no family details)

William James Hobson, the son of Joseph Hobson, a stonemason, and Ellen Hobson (née Jones), was born in Llandudno on 26 June 1896. He was a full cousin of David, Evan and John Hobson (all qv). The 1901 Census records the family of eight living at 2 Tan-y-Graig Cottages, Great Orme.

William attended the Great Orme Council School and in 1907 transferred to St. George’s National School which he left in July 1909. The Census of Wales 1911 records that William (15) was still living with his parents and he worked for a grocer as an errand boy.

William Hobson volunteered at Llandudno in September 1914 and joined the 10th (Service) Battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers which officially formed at Wrexham the following month. This battalion was part of K3, Kitchener’s third new army. William’s regimental number was 15532. The battalion moved to Aldershot (June 1915) by way of Codford St. Mary (Salisbury Plain), Bournemouth and Romsey. It landed at Boulogne on 27 September 1915. On 30 March 1916, the battalion was holding the line at Vormezeele near Ypres in Belgium. A small bombing party was detailed to attack a German post and William Hobson was probably killed in this action aged 19. His body was never recovered and he has no known grave.

Known memorials:

  • Ypres Memorial (Menin Gate), Belgium
  • Siloh a Hyfrydle, Llandudno
  • Parents’ headstone in the Great Orme’s Head Cemetery
  • Llandudno Roll of Honour
  • Llandudno War Memorial
  • Memorial Chapel, Holy Trinity Church, Llandudno

1 comment to Hobson, William James

  • Jennie Ross

    William James was a cousin of Robert John Hughes wife – Elizabeth (Bet) I have a photograph of him..
    Can I post on this site? Robert John Hughes and Bet were my Grandparents

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