The Hodgkinson Family of Bryn Fynnon Farm.

Willie’s National Registration Card

31st March 1916

In March 1916, William’s father had appealed to a Tribunal to have him exempted from military service because he was needed on the farm. (County Herald)

11th August 1916

William’s first appeal had granted him exemption till 31st October but the military objected and he was told he had to enlist on 30th September. (County Herald)

27th February 1917

And so Willie joined the army and the beginning of 1917 found him at Litherland near Liverpool

Willie reassures his mother that he is taking care of himself

4th March 1917

Willie writes to his young brother James and tells him about a memorable St David’s Day in Liverpool

28th March 1917

Willie was given a month’s leave (furlough) to help on the family farm March to April 1917

11th June 1917

Another letter from Willie to brother James telling about progress on the shooting range. June 1917.

5th July 1917

Within a few weeks of that last letter, Willie was in France

4th August 1917

Ever the farmer’s lad! Willie writes to his sister Ada from France. August 1917

22nd August 1917

Later in August 1917, a letter to Mother

5th September 1917

This next letter was written by Willie to his disabled sister Gwennie. The first page has been transcribed because the original is too poor to scan.

"Dear Gwennie,

I was delighted to receive a letter from you this afternoon which I think came very quick. I have not received the parcel which you sent the day before but expect to have it tomorrow. I will let you know when I get it.
I met John last Friday. I expect you know by now he looks very well being he has been in hospital. I hope he will keep well now.

It is lovely weather here now, has been for a week. I expect you are having the same by now for the corn harvest. They have had all the corn in about here and are threshing it. there are some good farmers about such a nice part of the country…"

Interesting to note that Willie was visited by his older brother, John who was also a serving soldier in France.

5th November 1917

Letter to brother James early November 1917

14th November 1917

Letter to sister Ada

18th November 1917

Nobody at home knew it until much later, but this letter to his mother was in fact Willie’s last letter home as he was killed three days later. The arrival of Mrs Burrows’ cake was timely – we hope that it was delicious and that he enjoyed every crumb. (Mrs Burrows worked with Ada at Leeswood Hall Auxiliary Hospital).

4th December 1917

Willie has been dead for two weeks but the family don’t know. The next two sad letters from Ada reveal serious anxiety but she tries very hard to maintain an air of normality.

20th December 1917

4th January 1918

This letter from brother John to Jennie in January 1918 explains how he has been trying to find out what has happened to Willie.

21st December 1917

Finally, at the end of December 1917, the official news came that Willie was dead

11th January 1918

The family then received a letter from the Battallion’s chaplain, with further details about Willie’s death. It has taken us hours to figure out what the letter says as the handwriting is so awful. The following transcript is our best attempt at translating it – it must have been added torture for the Hodgkinson family.

"Dear Miss Hodgkinson,

I deeply regret to have to tell you that according to most reliable evidence, 60956 Pte WT Hodgkinson of this Battallion was killed instantly at Masniere.

Corporal Lloyd of the same company who knew him well was close at his side when your brother was hit in the lungs by a sniper’s bullet. He called out “Oh Corporal” and fell back and died at once. He could scarcely have felt any pain at all. I am afraid there is no room for any doubt at all as Corporal Lloyd is a man not at all likely to make a mistake especially in a case of this nature.

They were all in the mire at this time and it was quite impossible either to take his effects or to arrange for burial. Several bodies were ultimately buried and if his body was interred, particulars will be registered with GRU, Winchester House, St James’s Square, London. (War Office).

I have only just returned to this Battallion after an absence of six weeks or I might have been able to help you more.

We all regret this loss of a good comrade and a good soldier. He too has given his life that men may live; with your dear one all is well. May God watch between you until you meet again.

With sincerest sympathy from us all

Yours sincerely

Kenneth Swallow, Chaplain (C of E)"

4th February 1918

The family was clearly seeking more information and the following letter was written by Corporal Lloyd in reply to one sent to him by Ada.

Ada’s last two unread letters to Willie were returned in the original envelopes with a few additional features added by the army.

28th December 1917

(County Herald)

The following letter which was written in 1920 is from a captain of the Regiment and sent to William’s father, explaining what happened to his son’s body. This arrived after much badgering of the War Office by the family, for an explanation about where his body was.

Eventually, William was given his own gravestone in the cemetery. Here it is, photographed by family members who visited it.

The Hodgkinson Family Grave in Northop Churchyard. Willie is commemorated here too.

The most poignant of all. Willie’s ID disc returned to his family with the appropriate form from the War Office. The final proof and the closest thing to Willie when he died.

A family visit to Willie’s grave in 1961. You can just see in the gatehouse Willie’s sister Gwennie in her wheelchair with his niece standing behind her.

Another of Willie’s nieces at his grave. This is Mary who has provided us with much of the material for the Hodkinson pages on the website

7th September 1917

In September 2008, Mary discovered yet another letter from Willie. This one was written in pencil which had become very faint so it wouldn’t scan. Mary and her husband have transcribed it as follows.

"Just a line to let you know I have received the parcel you sent, this afternoon which was in perfect condition with the exception of 2 hens eggs which had been a little crushed and had not kept but they had not spoilt any of the cakes but the goose eggs which have thicker shells were all right. The bread and butter had kept excellent this time, it was funny it went bad before. I enjoyed the apple pie for my tea it made me think of the food we used to get when going to school.
I believe we are moving from where we are now to another camp for further training. Our officer gave between our platoon a nice set of socks yesterday which were sent from his home to give between us, such nice ones.
I received also the papers this afternoon. Well Ada we are just going to have a good concert again given by some RAMC men. The one on Wednesday was good too. Love to all, your loving Willie."

Mary added this thought
“I still can’t imagine sending eggs by post even with all the bubble wrap we have.”

Private 60956 William Thomas Hodgkinson 1895 -1917

Many thanks to family member Mary Marrow for the letters, the photographs of the grave and for extra information. (When she visited Willie’s grave at Marcoing, Mary picked up a conker that was lying on the ground and took it home and planted it. She now has a lovely horse chestnut tree growing in her garden). Thanks also to Robert Hodgkinson for the photograph of Willie and the bronze commemorative medallion.