HOBSON, Edward

Edward Hobson was born in Stourbridge and enlisted in the Worcester Territorials. He joined the 1/7th Battalion in France, probably during 1916. This battalion was heavily engaged in the 1916 Battle of the Somme, fighting at Ovillers in July and on the Transloy Ridges during October. The Worcesters ended the year in the forward area near the Butte de Warlencourt, spending regular four days periods in the front line. In January they were withdrawn to a rest area for a month's training, but on the 28th January they went back to the front line near Peronne. The cold weather broke on the 20th February and the next day they started a four day duty in the trenches which quickly decayed under the mud. On the 24th the Germans attempted a raid on their line. It was unsuccessful but left seven men killed. One of these was Private Edward Hobson. He was buried at Assevillers New British Cemetery (X A 1) and commemorated on the Stourbridge and St. Thomas's church Memorials.